Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE)...
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive was agreed on the 13th of February 2003, along with the related Directive on Restrictions of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS), of which there are ten different categories.
The European and the Council of the European Union are introducing a directive to divert electrical and electronic goods from landfill. This directive is to be implemented in January 2006.
The WEEE directive is based on the community's environment policy, in particular to preserve, protect and improve the quality of the environment, protect human health and utilise natural resources.
Grundon Waste Management Ltd offers a WEEE collection service that is compliant with the Directive and the anticipated U.K. regulations. When required we can supply suitable storage containers at customer premises, although collections of loose WEEE can also be arranged.
To avoid contamination we require fridges, freezers, televisions and computer screens to be kept separate.
The vast majority of the WEEE is recovered and recycled.
- Fridges and freezers are processed by specialist equipment. The compressor oil and refrigerant gases are initially removed and are either recovered or incinerated. The actual compressors are then removed and recycled. The remaining fridge / freezer is then shredded in a controlled environment, allowing the capture of any CFCs. The metals, plastics and even the powdered foam are all separated and where possible recycled.
- Televisions and cathode ray tubes are processed by the removal and recycling where possible of the outer casing. The unit then passes through a tube splitter, which cut off the end screen glass. This is a different glass to the tube glass, normally having a much higher lead content. Both the end screen glass and the tube glass (once decontaminated) are recycled. All printed circuit boards are also removed and recycled.
- Most of the other types of WEEE are processed by the removal of any accessible and easily removable plastics, metals and printed circuit boards, followed by shredding and separating in a specialist unit. This enables maximum recovery and recycling and keeps costs as low as possible.
WEEE Categories
1. Large household appliances
- Large cooling appliances
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Washing machines
- Clothes fryers
- Electric stoves
- Microwaves
- Electric fans
- Air conditioner appliance
2. Small household appliance
- Vacuum cleaners
- Other appliances of cleaning
- Irons
- Toasters
- Hair dryers
- Tooth brushes
- Shaving
- Clocks
- Scales
3. IT and telecommunications equipment
- Monitors
Centralised data
processing- Mainframes
- Minicomputers
- Printer units
- Personal computers
- Notebook computers
- Telephones
- Cellular phones
- Answering systems
4. Consumer equipment
- Radio sets
- Televisions
- Video cameras
- Video recorders
5. Lighting equipment
Luminaries for
florescent lamps- Straight florescent lamps
- Compact florescent lamps
- Other lighting equipment
6. Electrical and electronic tools
- Drills
- Saws
- Sewing machines
- Tools for riveting, nailing or screwing
- Tools for welding, Soldering or similar use
- Equipment for spraying
- Tools for mowing or other gardening activities.
7. Toys, leisure and sports equipment
- Electric trains or car racing sets
- Hand held video game consoles
- Video games
- Computers for biking, diving, running or rowing etc.
- Sports equipment with electric or electronic components
- Coin slot machines
8. Medical devices (with the exception of all implanted and infected products)
- Radiotherapy equipment
- Cardiology
- Dialysis
- Pulmonary ventilators
- Nuclear medicine
- Analysers
- Freezers
9. Monitoring and control instruments
- Smoke detectors
- Heating regulators
- Thermostats
- Measuring
- weighing
10. Automatic dispensers
- Automatic dispensers for hot drinks
- Automatic dispensers for hot or cold bottles or cans
- Automatic dispensers for solid products
- Automatic dispensers for money
- All appliances which deliver automatically all kinds of products
Ordering Information
Our operational area for WEEE collections covers most of the U.K. All WEEE enquiries should be sent to the Technical Department, at the Ewelme depot:
- Tel: +44 (0)1491 834340
Fax: +44 (0)1491 834319
e-mail: technical@grundon.com
or: WEEE@grundon.com
Typical Collections
The table below shows a list of Typical Wastes where the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) collections service would be recommended. Additionally shown are the Coverage Areas where the collection services are available.
| Typical Wastes | Coverage Area |
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