In the UK we throw out over 1m tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) a year. New WEEE regulations covering how we should dispose of this waste came into effect from 1st July 2007. Most e-waste is toxic, harmful to the environment and to human health so it is important that these products are recycled or otherwise disposed of safely.

Typical products that are covered by the WEEE regulations include products requiring electricity or battery support to function e.g. stereos, TV’s, video game consoles, hand held computer games, electric tools, household appliances, computers, mobile phones, sewing machines, etc.

How Can You Make a Difference?

Electrical and Electronic Equipment that was made after June 2006 should display this symbol on the packaging or product. Either send the product to be repaired and reused or use your local authority’s bank locator to find where it can be recycled.

If the symbol shown here is found on any of your goods, it means that the product is classed as Electrical or Electronic Equipment and is covered by the WEEE Regulations.

When you have finished with a product containing this symbol (WEEE product) please do not put in your general household waste or in your household recycling bin as it will not be recycled through these channels. Please use one of the following disposal options instead:

1 - Can it be Recycled?
To ensure that your WEEE is recycled in accordance with the regulations, you must ensure that the goods are separately disposed of by taking the WEEE product to your local designated collection facility. This would normally be your local civic amenity site (recycling centre). To locate your local site, contact your local authority at: www.recycle-more.co.uk

To find which waste electrical goods you can recycle near you, type your postcode into the bank locator at: www.recycle-more.co.uk/banklocator/banklocator.aspx

2 - Hand the old equivalent product back to us when purchasing a replacement (like for like) product from our website.

3 - Other useful websites:
www.weeeman.org
environment-agency.gov.uk
www.sepa.org.uk
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
wrap.org.uk