Firms still unaware of WEEE regulations
Feb 19 2008 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette
A YEAR after new legislation came into force firms are still unaware of new environmental regulations, a new report has said.
A survey by environmental guidance website www.netregs.gov.uk has found small and medium sized businesses across the UK are still unaware of the 2006 Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations – meaning that many SMEs may be missing out on cost savings and neglecting their environmental responsibilities.
Research found only 12% of SMEs could name the WEEE Regulations unprompted, and just a third (36%) had heard of them once they were named.
SMEs ignoring WEEE legislation could be paying the price through avoidable waste charges and unnecessary effort in disposing of their own electrical waste.
The WEEE Regulations were introduced in January 2007 to reduce electrical waste going to landfill.
UK businesses throw away one million tonnes of WEEE every year. For equipment purchased since August 2005, the regulations now put responsibility for waste disposal on the producers.
Richard Martin, NetRegs programme manager, comments: “SMEs generate 60% of all commercial waste in England and Wales so it’s critical all users of electrical equipment understand what WEEE means for them. It is worrying that only one in eight SMEs are aware of WEEE legislation unprompted.”
The WEEE Regulations require producers of electrical and electronic equipment to join a Producer Compliance Scheme and to take responsibility for the treatment, collection and recycling of any waste electronic equipment produced by them since August 2005.
For business users of WEEE it means they may return their end of life electrical equipment to the producer and may no longer need to pay to send their electrical waste to landfill.
Richard added: “The good news for SMEs is WEEE legislation can help businesses dispose of their electrical waste products sustainably - in many cases, at no cost.”
While the study found 48% of SMEs had introduced practical measures to reduce environmental harm, the percentage familiar with WEEE is much lower – with certain sectors performing significantly below average.
Unsurprisingly, those in electronics and electricals manufacturing are better informed. The study found textiles and clothing manufacturers also showed above average awareness.
Richard added: “Many sectors wrongly believe that WEEE is only relevant to businesses in the electrical sector. In fact, if you use a computer, a photocopier, or even have a microwave in your staff kitchen, you need to be aware of what WEEE means for you.”
For more information log on to www.netregs.gov.uk
