Electrical and electronic goods are amongst the world's fastest growing areas of production fuelled by huge consumer demand and resulting in a growing mountain of waste as old, broken or obsolete electrical goods are thrown away.
The European Commission has been tackling these issues and in 2002 published the EU Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Directive.
This went before the UK Parliament in December 2006, becoming effective on July 1st, 2007. Electronic and electrical equipment subject to these regulations is identified by a wheelie bin icon either on the product itself, its packaging or instructions for use. The principal obligations laid on producers, distributors and retailers of Electronic and Electrical Equipment (EEE) are as follows:-
· All manufacturers, distributors and retailers of EEE products sold within the EU have to pay for the take-back, treatment and recycling of redundant equipment.
· Improve the reuse / recycling of WEEE.
· Ensure the separate collection of WEEE.
· Inform the public of their role in disposing of WEEE.
Amongst the obvious WEEE such as televisions, PC's and washing machines are also toys and model railway products.
Jamjar (63) Ltd have made a decision currently not to sell any Electrical or Electronic products and therefore have no obligations under this directive. However, if this decision changes, our policy will be amended accordingly.