Introduction
What are the WEEE and RoHS Directives?
How does the WEEE Directive Work?
Scope of the WEEE Directive
Registration and enforcement in the UK
Importing and exporting
Compliance Options
Inforamtion requirements
Allocation of responsibility
Costs
What does the WEEE Directive mean for UK Manufacturers, local authorities and Retailers?
The WEEE Directive in other EU Member States
How will RoHS Work?
Scope of the RoHS Directive
Definitions
Restrictions
Exemptions
Testing
Industry Views
DIY Compliance Check
WEEE DIY compliance check
RoHS DIY compliance check
Actions for complying with WEEE
Actions for Complying with RoHS
Lead Free
How do I raise awareness?
Tools resources and further information


Treatment and recycling

Recycling of separately collected WEEE is the producer's legal responsibility. The recovery rates are set out in the Directive but there are also requirements for the selective treatment of certain materials and components in WEEE.

The treatment of WEEE will have to be undertaken in line with standards and guidelines. Annex 2 of the Directive contains information on the selective treatment of certain components and material in WEEE but there will also be standards relating to the way in which recovery and recycling is undertaken.

The WEEE Directive requires that certain substances, preparations and components be removed from separately collected WEEE. These include:

  • Capacitors containing poly-chlorinated biphenyls
  • Mercury-containing compounds such as switches or backlighting lamps
  • Batteries
  • Plastic containing brominated flame retardants
  • Cathode ray tubes
  • Printed circuits boards (over 10cm2)
  • Liquid crystal displays (over 100cm2)

There are also specific treatment requirements for given materials and components.

Annex 3 of the WEEE Directive lays down technical requirements regarding storage and sites for the treatment of WEEE.

The Directive requires that each member state reaches a target of 4Kg of WEEE per annum collected for every head of population in the country. In the UK this will mean approximately 240,000 Tonnes will need to be collected. In order to encourage the collection of WEEE, Annex 4 of the Directive shows the symbol for the marking of electrical and electronic equipment.
More details may be found in:

Annex 2 of the WEEE Directive   Annex 2 of the WEEE Directive
 
Annex 3 of the WEEE Directive   Annex 3 of the WEEE Directive
 
Annex 4 of the WEEE Directive   Annex 4 of the WEEE Directive

Treatment and Recovery Standards

The treatment of WEEE has to be undertaken in line with standards and guidelines. Annex 2 of the Directive contains information on selective treatment of certain components and material in WEEE but there are also standards relating to the way in which recovery and recycling is undertaken.

UK WEEE Treatment Guidance   UK Enviroment Agency Treatment Standards.


UK treatment facilities will be the subject of a new permitting regime for waste facilities.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Waste Management Licensing) Regulations (England and Wales) 2006

   UK Enviroment Agency Treatment Standards.

Codes of practice or standards on the refurbishment of goods have been developed. These include guidelines on consumer guarantees and the assessment of suitable products for refurbishment.