Awareness of WEEE marred by misconceptions

It’s just over a year since the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations came into force and thousands of businesses that import, rebrand or manufacture electrical and electronic equipment have registered with a WEEE compliance scheme. By financing the treatment and recycling of WEEE they are making a real difference to the environment.

A recent study we carried out found that 76 per cent of businesses are aware of the WEEE Regulations and a clear majority also believe that disposal of electronic and electrical waste in the UK is a major problem – demonstrating a high awareness of green issues and the WEEE Regulations amongst businesses.

However, a significant number of companies that need to join an approved scheme have not done so – putting themselves at an increasing risk of being prosecuted. Nearly half mistakenly believe that the regulations do not apply to them.

We are now stepping up our enforcement activity, having allowed producers a bedding in period to understand their responsibilities and register with a producer compliance scheme.