Electronic waste shakeup by EU

The European Parliament has given ‘overwhelming support’ to a new directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), in order to boost resource efficiency in Europe.

At present, only one-third of electrical and electronic waste in the European Union is separately collected and properly treated, according to figures from member states. The existing binding EU collection target is four kg of WEEE per capita per year, but by 2020 it is estimated that that volume is expected to increase to 20 kg per capita.

Illegal shipments of WEEE disguised as legal shipments has been a significant problem for the EU. The new directive will clamp down on such issues, with requirements that exporters should test and provide documents on the nature of their shipments. The new directive will also improve the harmonisation of national registration and reporting requirements.

The WEEE forum has been in place for over three years, and gives advice on the practical and operational procedures with the management of electrical and electronic waste. The forum provides figures each year which give an insight into the electrical and electronic market in each member state.

EU Environmental Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: “In these challenging times of economic change and rising prices for raw materials, resource efficiency is where environmental benefits and innovative growth opportunities for European industry come together.”

Posted by Joseph Hutton