What is the WEEE Directive & does it apply to me?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive aims to reduce waste generated during the life cycle of Electrical and Electronic Equipment though product design with the environment in mind. It requires producers to consider the types and volumes of materials used, energy efficiency throughout a products life cycle, and ease of reuse and/or recycling. The Directive sets criteria for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of WEEE and makes producers responsible for financing most of these activities. Private householders must be able to return WEEE without charge. There are targets for recycling and recovery of materials and components from the separately collected waste. The WEEE Directive once transposed into UK law, will apply to those involved in manufacturing, selling, distributing, recycling or treating electrical and electronic equipment (including household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, audiovisual equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, medical devices and automatic dispensers).

What is an environmental policy?

An environmental policy is a short statement that explains your business's position on the environment. It should identify your business's key issues with regards to the environment, say how you intend to deal with them and how you will monitor and improve the environmental performance of the business. In order to write a policy you must consider how your business's operations impact on the environment and how you can reduce these impacts. You should also check legislation that may apply to your business and ensure all are being complied with. A policy can then be written recognising your impacts on the environment and your intent to minimise them where you can. The policy should be made available to all employees and they should be made aware of the business's stance on the environment by building it into staff training.

What is the ELV Directive?

The End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive affects vehicle manufacturers, material and equipment manufacturers, dealers and scrap yard owners. It aims to prevent waste from end-of-life vehicles, promote the reuse and recycling of their components and improve the environmental performance of all those involved in the life cycle of vehicles. Under the terms of the ELV Directive, producers will have to ensure 85% recovery and 80% recycling of their vehicles by weight by January 1 2006, although vehicles made before 1980 have lower targets of 75% recovery and 70% recycling. By 2015, recovery rates will have to be 95% and recycling rates at 85% for all vehicles. Manufacturers of vehicles, material and equipment will be encouraged to reduce the use of hazardous substances, and increase the use of recycled materials. All ELVs will have to be transferred to authorised treatment facilities which meet environmental standards. The Directive sets out minimum technical requirements for the storage and treatment of ELVs. The directive will also introduce a “certificate of destruction” for scrapped vehicles.

What is Life Cycle Analysis?

This is used in product manufacture. It enables companies to view the environmental impacts and cost effectiveness of their products. A product can be traced back to its individual materials through to its end of life (disposal or recycling etc). The idea is to get as much as possible out of the product with the least environmental impact. The analysis provides a means of quantifying how much energy and raw material are used and how much (solid, liquid and gaseous) waste is generated at each stage of a product's lifecycle. The process of undertaking a life cycle analysis can help an organisation understand its processes. Products can be compared with competitors' products and alternative materials and methods of production can be identified. This process may also be known as an eco-balance, cradle-to-grave analysis, resource analysis, environmental impact analysis.

What is supply chain management?

Supply chain management is a method of improving the way a company sources raw materials, components or products it requires. Many company procurement policies are now insisting that suppliers demonstrate a commitment to improving their environmental impacts before awarding contracts. In this manner Supply chain management provides the opportunity for companies to influence the practice and performance of their suppliers - large and small - to deliver environmental improvements in their product or service.

How can sourcing different materials reduce my costs?

Alternative materials may be available to those, which you are currently using for your processes. Materials may be available cheaper from other suppliers. The materials you require may be available in more sustainable sources, or it may be possible to use different materials in your processes. Perhaps you are using a material that is susceptible to breakage or spoilage, creating waste. Looking at using an alternative material may reduce waste (and also purchase costs), or looking at your storage or processes could also reduce waste. Sourcing materials of a lighter weight could decrease your transport costs; it costs more in fuel to transport heavy loads. If you would like help looking at your materials, storage and processes please let us know.

Why save energy?

Reducing energy costs, without any reduction in productivity, results in a direct increase in profit. Some reduction in energy costs can cost little or nothing. There may be secondary benefits as well. Energy-aware companies tolerate less idle running of equipment, less wear and tear and less frequent breakdowns. Government policies are focusing on reducing the impact of climate change from the emission of greenhouse gases, principally carbon dioxide

What is Waste?

The definition of 'waste' contains many provisos, but as a general rule it is 'any substance or object which the producer or the person in possession of it discards or is required to discard'. It must also fall in to one of the categories set out in Part II of Schedule 4 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. One category is described as 'Products for which the holder has no further use (e.g. agricultural, household, office, commercial and shop discards, etc.).

What is a waste carrier?

Under the terms of the Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, with a few exceptions, a person, partnership or company that transports controlled waste must register as a carrier of waste. It is an offence to transport waste without registration for which the maximum fine is £5000. Application for registration is made to the Environment Agency.