With every new service, questions abound.

Here are a few answers:

What is the WEEE Directive?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive aims to minimise the impact of electrical and electronic equipment on the environment during its lifetime and when it becomes waste. The Directive applies to a wide spectrum of products. It encourages recycling and sets criteria for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Increased recycling of equipment will limit the total quantity of waste going to final disposal.

When does it come into effect?

The WEEE Directive was published in the Official Journal on 13 February 2003. It must be incorporated into member state legislation by August 2004 and fully implemented by August 2005.

Who is affected by the WEEE Directive?

The Directive makes producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their product (producer responsibility). The legislation also affects resellers, distributors and those involved in the recycling, treating and disposal of equipment.

If the WEEE Directive is aimed at ‘producers’, how does it affect me as a commercial user of equipment?

In three ways: ethical support for the Directive, protecting your reputation, and your legal responsibility under other legislation.

• First, as heavy users of equipment, businesses and organisations should be supporting the WEEE Directive in adopting recycling practices. Also, while you are not currently bound by the legislation of the WEEE Directive, you could be in the near future. Harrow Green has been advised by the DTI that there is likely to be future legislation contained within, or linked to, the Directive that focuses on business-user responsibility.

• Second, while producers may be ultimately responsible for your kit, if equipment is found to have been dumped negligently and can be traced to your organisation, you will be associated with negative publicity surrounding any prosecution. You could also face prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act.

• Which brings us to the third reason. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, you have a Duty of Care when it comes to the disposal of your waste. The Duty of Care is a law which says that you must take all reasonable steps to keep waste safe. If you give waste to someone else, you must be sure they are authorised to take it and can transport, recycle or dispose of it safely. If you break this law, you can be fined an unlimited amount.
  

The combined demands of both pieces of legislation mean that businesses should be actively seeking to place their unwanted equipment with organisations that can (a) fulfil their Duty of Care under the Environmental Protection Act and (b) provide, wherever possible, recycling options that conform to the WEEE Directive.

The WEEE Directive states that households can have their WEEE disposed of without charge. Is this the same for the commercial sector?

No. The WEEE Directive has left this decision to the producers and the businesses they supply. There is an option for the business discarding the WEEE to share costs with the obligated producer, or even pay all costs. This will be a commercial decision, reached between the parties involved, and is likely to form part of the normal negotiations for future contracts.

What’s the difference between the Harrow Green IT recycling service and recycling services offered by my IT supplier or other recycling companies?

There are a range of organisations who collect unwanted IT for a variety of reasons, from charitable organisations to used-equipment traders to waste reclaimers. Their service offering and conditions will all vary. However, if you want to protect your business and make the maximum contribution to the wider community, you should consider the following: