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Enacted in 2007 the WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) legislation is a legal framework which formaises the disposal of electronic and electrical equipment, and is especially loaded against business and industry. Consumers buying their new mobile phones, laptops, computers, TVs and other personal electronic and electrical items can opt for the recycling process which the retailer has to provide by law, as an element of the WEEE regulations by way of ridding themselves of their old, redundant or no longer fashionable equipment.
Unfortunately for business owners and delegated responsible persons within the business, the buck stops with you. Businesses are the link in the chain where the responsibility rests with the safe, secure and ethical disposal of said equipment, all of which is now classed as hazardous waste and has to be disposed of by licenced operators.
The introduction of WEEE legislation is as a legal framework for combating the increasing numbers of electronic equipment which came up for disposal, and which was prior to 2007 able to be dumped in ordinary landfill sites. It has been estimated that by 2015 the European Union alone will be responsible for generating some fifteen million tonnes of electronic equipment waste, with the figure projected to rise year on year exponentially after this date and certainly for the foreseeable future.
Every item of electronic and electrical equipment in use has varying amounts and combinations of lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury other nasties which are essential for the premium operation and efficiency of modern electronic equipment. Over ninety percent of the entire component pieces are recyclable, which includes the plastic casings, glass screens and electrical motors and cooling fans.
Disposal of electronic equipment is a minefield for the unwary and unprepared; if you fall foul of the legal aspect of the lifecycle management of the potential hazardous waste in your care, you may be liable to fines and potential criminal prosecution. To keep the entire issue legal, and to ensure the safe, secure and ethical disposal of ANY electronic equipment in your care, contact Data Asset Recovery today for complete peace of mind.
