Legislative Changes

WEEE Regulations

With the shortage of Landfill sites and the growing focus on the environmental impact of waste disposal legislation is being passed to control the end of life processing of consumer goods.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is the fastest growing waste problem in the UK. The WEEE Regulations which came into force in January 2007 aim to reduce the amount of this waste going to landfill, and increase recovery and recycling rates.

Retailers and producers operating in this market segment must set up a system for their customers to return WEEE, at the end of its life, free of charge. This can be either through a distributor or in-store take-back scheme.

Such schemes are expected to be extended to other markets making reverse logistics an essential growth area for the future.