Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

What is WEEE?WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic

Equipment.

A law was introduced in July 2007 which means that the responsibility for disposal of electrical equipment

was put with the manufacturer of electrical and electronic equipment.

Why do we need to recycle it?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations came into force in January 2007 and aims to reduce the amount of this waste going to landfill and improve recovery and recycling rates.  Electrical and electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the UK. Around 1 million tonnes are generated every year.

Items such as kitchen appliances, mobile phones, computers, TV’s, electrical and electronic tools can all be either recycled or reused.

(Source: Recyclenow.com) 

Effects of WEEE on the environment

Electrical items contain a range of materials that can be separated

for recycling and used in new products, such as plastics and

precious metals including gold and copper.

All this saves resources and energy. If electrical items end up in

landfill, hazardous substances will leak out and cause soil and later

contamination – harming wildlife and even human health.

(Source: Recyclenow.com)

More waste factsOn average, each person in the UK buys three new electrical items each year or 173 million nationally. 

For every 7kg of small electricals bought last year - the average amount per person - only a fraction (1.3kg) was sent to be recycled

There’s no need to bin items – you can drop them off at your local recycling centre.

Recycling electricals is environmentally friendly – unwanted electricals and electronics can be recycled and contain really valuable raw materials. For example, one iron contains enough steel to produce 13 steel cans.

Some retailers offer free recycling schemes or take back options.

(Source: Recyclenow.com)

How can we recycle it?

Once items are taken to a recycling site the following takes place:

Strong magnets remove ferrous metals, such as steel

Other non metallic metals are removed by using electronic currents

Plastic is sorted into types by using various methods such as: –near infrared light; and –density separation

What items can be recycled? Hover mowers contain:Strong ABS plastic that can be used for light, rigid, moulded products such as musical instruments, cases, pipe fittings and car bumpers

Copper motors that can be turned into copper pipe, coins in some currencies, jewellery, wire and as winding wire for motors in new electronic products (fridges, vacuums, tools, toys, motors etc.) Copper can be mixed with zinc to make brass, or with tin to make bronze.

Games consoles contain:Steel that can be used for computer casings, car parts and beams, circuit boards, which have a range of precious metals including gold, silver, platinum and palladium; platinum and palladium are used in catalytic converters and mobile phones…and jewellery

Mobile phones contain:Precious metals (like gold, platinum and palladium), a variety of which can be recycled into component plating and low voltage electrical contacts; palladium plays a key role in the technology used for fuel cells. Zinc which is used to galvanise steel; it can also be mixed with copper to make brass. Ships and submarines use zinc blocks to stop rust forming.

WEEE Facts

On average, each person in the UK buys three new electrical items each year.

There’s no need to bin items – you can drop them off at your local recycling centre.

Recycling electricals is environmentally friendly. For example, one iron contains enough steel to produce 13 steel cans.

Some retailers offer free recycling schemes or take back options.

Ask your local retailer for more information.

What can be done in school?

Schools can take part in a WEEE collection scheme

Schools can have a free collection on site that will be collected the same day

This can include waste from the school, pupils and the community.

WEEE Waste Collected

The waste that can be collected includes:

Computer monitors PrintersDesktop computers Laptop

Keyboards and mice Hard drives

Modems ScannersMobile phones StereosDVD players MP3 playersElectronic fans TVsMicrowaves ToastersGames consoles Chargers