Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) incorporates most items which either need a battery to work or are plugged in. Due to the potentially hazardous nature of these products to the environment as well as health, it is important that the correct steps are taken when they come to the end of their working life. This means than the likelihood of them causing harm is reduced as well as that they can contribute to a circular economy with parts being recycled and reused too.
Businesses need to ensure that they deal with their WEEE waste in the correct way, as non-household or commercial WEEE cannot be disposed of at waste recycling centres designed for household items. To dispose of items correctly, in some cases the Producer Compliance Scheme will apply. This allows businesses to return their WEEE to the producer for free if the purchase was made after August 13 2018.
If this is not the case, or the producer cannot be traced, then the business has a duty of care to recycle the WEEE waste appropriately. Ways this can be done include arranging for a contractor to collect it. In this case it is important to check they have the necessary credentials to dispose of it for you. Another option is to take to waste directly to a special waste facility. Again, it is important to check they are licensed to accept and recycle the items on your behalf. Working with a reputable company can however take the stress out of the situation and give you peace of mind that the WEEE waste is being dealt with correctly.
Acumen are a leading provider of waste management solutions and can help businesses deal with solid, liquid and hazardous waste. We also offer a 24/7 emergency response service to help deal with spillages and environmental incidents. For more information or to discuss your site needs with one of our experienced team, please contact us today on 0800 118 2165.
