We investigate: EU rules on recycling

Unwanted, broken or obsolete electronic equipment needs to be disposed of properly, as many old products contain materials that can be harmful to human health and the environment.

Until the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive became UK law on 1 July 2007 it was common for these goods to be shipped to landfill sites here and in countries such as Nigeria. But now a scheme is in place to ensure that old technology is recycled properly.

Two years on we investigate whether the WEEE directive has been successful.

Getting rid of gadgets
It isn’t illegal for consumers to dispose of waste electronics in the bin, but it is frowned upon. If you have a loft full of old technology that no longer serves a purpose or has stopped working, there are plenty of environmentally friendly ways to get rid of it.

While producers of this equipment have a duty under the directive to take it back, local authorities also have a duty to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Both have set up recycling schemes.

In the early drafts of the directive none of this was going to cost the consumer a penny. This is still the case when it comes to recycling of electronic waste.

The onus is still on the manufacturers, importers or retailers of electronic goods to recycle electronic waste at a processing facility approved by the Environment Agency.

But although companies won’t charge to reprocess old electronics – as they must recycle a quantity of electronics equal to the amount they sell – consumers are now expected to bear some of the cost.

Originally consumers could demand that retailers picked up old equipment free of charge when they bought like for like. But this no longer seems to apply across the board and, in many cases, companies do now charge.

Council facilities
Councils have a duty to reduce the amount of electronic waste going to landfill so they also provide recycling facilities that can process electronic goods.

The WEEE directive applies to the majority of home electrical products, including televisions, games consoles, tools and smoke alarms. Even products that contains a small electronic circuit, such as some toys, are included.

If you have small electronic items to get rid of, head to your local Designated Collection Facility (DCF), which is typically a recycling centre with the facilities to handle electronic waste.

Find your nearest DCF by entering your postcode on recycle-more.co.uk. Check which types of electronic waste your local DCF will accept beforehand, as not all recycling centres process every type of waste.