From today, 01 July 2007, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is now enforcable in the UK. After many delays the legislation was initially intended to be in force in August 2005. Implementing the scheme into the UK is estimated to have cost £111m - £133m, and by 2017 will have cost £331m - £434m according to figures from the Department of Trade and Industry.
Covered under the legislation is ten types of product each given their own specific category;
Large household appliances: fridges, freezers, microwave ovens, washing machines
Small household appliances: vacuum cleaners, toasters, coffee machines, electric toothbrushes
IT and telecommunications equipment: PCs, laptops, monitors, keyboards, printers, cordless phones
Consumer equipment: radios, TVs, DVD players, video recorders etc
Lighting equipment: low-energy Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are classified as WEEE
Electric tools: all tools such as drills, saws, sewing machines. Only large, stationary industrial tools are exempt
Toys, sport and leisure equipment: electric trains, game consoles, cycle computers etc
Medical devices: implanted or infected products are exempt
Monitoring and control devices: smoke alarms, thermostats, etc
Automated devices: this classification covers all appliances that automatically deliver products, for example, drinks, food, money, etc.
The WEEE directive obligates manufactures and importers of electrical equipment covered under the scheme responsible for the recycling of their products at no cost to the consumer, the intention is that this will increase the amount of electronics being recycled and reduce the amount of ewaste which ends up in our landfill sites, which pose a substaintial environmental threat from the dangerous substances that are contained within. I have previously written about mobile phones and CFL bulbs, each of which contain dangerous chemicals which need to be disposed or reclaimed of in a controlled manner.
Under the directive each of the European Union nations must meet a target of recycling a minimum 4kg of ewaste per resident. Whilst manufactures and importers are obligated, there is not obligation on the consumer to recycle their ewaste, however since August 2005, most electronic devices have been issued with a new logo (pictured above) to try discourage disposal in general household waste.
To guage how big a problem ewaste is in the UK, each year we dispose of 1.2m tonnes of waste electronics, the majority of which makes its way to landfills. Through the implementation of WEEE, it is anticipated that 20% will be diverted from landfill, however industry analysts predict that this figure will be far greater.
Whilst the implementation has taken longer than expected the systems in place to help reduce waste going to landfill are welcomed by all, any reduction in ewaste is a benefit to the environment. With the new legislation in place it will also act as an incentive to companies to ensure that their products are made from materials which can easily and cost effectively be recycled, ultimately the cost of the scheme will be bourne by the consumer, but in the compeitive high demand world of electronics this will be a marginal increase on the price of each product.
The UK seaside resort of Torbay is trialling a US designed bin run on solar power, you may ask why a bin needs to be powered at all, but this bin is special. Aptly named "Big Belly" by its US manufacturer Seahorse Power Company, the bin is designed to compact waste on the spot using the power generated from the solar panel. The bin can hold up to five times that of a bin of equivalent size, preventing the bins from overflowing and seagulls from enjoying a feast on the disposed food contained within. Through the simple act of compacting the waste, this results in the need for fewer collections, saving the emissions of vehicles and man power from regularly emptying. But the "Big Belly" comes with a big price tag in comparison to standard waste disposal units, each unit costs approximately £1900 ($3600), a little more for optional extras such as bear-proofing. But over time this will be recouped through reduced labour cost through collection of the bins. However, it would be nice to see a similar system introduced with recycling facilities for PET and Aluminium. If the trial is a success, the bins will be installed across Torbay.
"We must be able to think outside the box and be willing to try new ideas. The council has already planned a major clean up drive in Torbay this summer targeting street cleaning, graffiti, public toilets and litter. We hope that this latest trial will compliment the work whilst also helping the environment." Jeanette Richards, Torbay Council, Cabinet Member
With Big Belly's in most major US cities, and slowly creeping across the globe this is one product which is sure to be making its way to a city near you in the future.
David Miliiband, Environment Secretary (Transcript Below)
Today Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) officially launched the Act On CO2 carbon footprint calculator using DEFRA figures. The calculator takes into account three elements in our daily lives, home, electrical appliances and travel. The concept behind the calculator is to allow users to see the impact that their lifestyle is having on climate change, through CO2 emissions, and hopefully do something about it. From the figures input it will also offer advice and guidence on how to reduce the users footprint and possibly save them money too in the form of an action plan. Answers can be saved through registration to the site, and can be reviewed later should you wish to watch the progress in the reduction of your carbon footprint.
The calculator is currently running slow due to the huge demand on the website since its inception today.
The software that runs the calculator, complete with the Government data, will be made freely available under general public licence. This will enable others wanting to use the software to power their own calculators, using their own branding, and will soon be available on this site.
DEFRA is encouraging everyone to use the calculator, to become more aware of their carbon dioxide emissions, and to take action on ways to reduce it. They are also keen to receive feedback about how the calculator can be improved. Following the feedback received, more features will be included in updates.
Transcript of David Miliband's Video Message;
"We all know green issues have gone up the political agenda. We also know that as well as government taking a lead, business doing the technological innovation that’s so important in the battle against climate change, individuals want to make a contribution too. That’s what this podcast is all about and it’s what the carbon calculator is designed to help achieve.
Individual decisions about home heating, about electrical appliances about transport account for nearly 50% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, the pollution that causes global warming. Many people want to make a difference but they don’t know how to. That’s what the carbon calculator is designed to help achieve: Real differences in individuals’ lives, hopefully helping them in their wallet but also helping the environment.
The carbon calculator is simple to use. I’m using it myself. I’m about average at the moment but I don’t think they’ve fully taken on board all of my travel. Anyway, it looks at your home heating, your electrical appliances and your personal travel. It’s got about 15 or 20 questions that you have to fill in and the simple rationale is that when people are given information about how to do the right thing, they will. So as well as telling you your carbon number, your pollution number, it will also tell you what you can do to reduce the impact of your decisions on the environment; turning down your thermostat, thinking about alternative modes of travel, switching to renewable electricity - all of them are part of this - I think, user friendly approach to helping individuals make a difference.
We’re doing something unusual as well in publishing this carbon calculator in draft. We’re trying to make it better and the best way to make it better is for you to use it and send us your comments about how user friendly it is, so we hope you’ll do that. In the process you can make a contribution to what I think is the great challenge for our time
Thank you very much indeed."
If you would like to comment on today's announcement or on the calculator, feel free to leave a reply to this article
Today Tesco announced in an email campaign to their online shopping users that they will be implementing "naked" deliveries. The email titled "Naked Deliveries and Half Price Fruit and Vegetables!" points out "It's not our drivers who might be naked, it's our shopping without bags. Our customers told us that we use too many carrier bags so we're doing something about it."
Tesco are showing their commitment to continually reduce the 18 billion carrier bags we use per year in the UK and this is why they have implemented this new addition to their delivery service. This new feature to their Green Clubcard Points scheme has been long overdue with some websites touting Tesco used on average one bag for every two and a half items. When ordering if you decide to opt for "naked" deliveries, you will be rewarded with Green Clubcard Points. 1 Green Clubcard Point for every 10 items ordered.
The service has been available for two years for customers in Ireland.
"Delivery without bags is both a win for our customers and the environment." Laura Wade-Gery, Tesco.com
They do note however in their FAQ, "It is important to think carefully before selecting to have your delivery without bags, particularly in the following situations:
You prefer the driver not to come into your home and therefore normally have your shopping unloaded at the doorstep.
You live in a property that is difficult for your driver to access with green trays."
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From today, 01 July 2007, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is now enforcable in the UK. After many delays the legislation was initially intended to be in force in August 2005. Implementing the scheme into the UK is estimated to have cost £111m - £133m, and by 2017 will have cost £331m - £434m according to figures from the Department of Trade and Industry.
