The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is now UK law. The legislation aims to make producers pay for the collection, treatment and recovery of waste electrical equipment. The regulations also mean that suppliers of equipment like high street shops and internet retailers must allow consumers to return their waste equipment free of charge. The amount of WEEE we throw away is increasing by around 5% each year, making this the fastest growing waste type in the UK.
Much of the UK's WEEE ends up in landfill, where the lead and other toxins it contains can cause soil and water contamination. This can have a harmful effect on our natural habitat, affecting both wildlife and human health.
Many electrical items that we throw away can be repaired or recycled. Recycling items helps to save our natural resources and also reduces the environmental and health risks associated with sending electrical goods to landfill.
Distributors of new Electric and Electronic Equipment (EEE) have a part to play in reducing the amount of WEEE that goes to landfill sites.
Alan Wadkins ToolStore offer our customers free take-back of their WEEE on a like-for-like basis i.e. a cordless drill for a cordless drill, when you buy from us a new Electrical or Electronic product.* For example, if a customer bought a new EEE item from us we would accept their old WEEE item and prevent it going into a landfill site by disposing of it safely. Customers must return their WEEE item to us within 28 days of purchasing their new like for like item. Under the WEEE Regulations, all new electrical goods should now be marked with the crossed- out wheeled bin symbol shown.
Goods are marked with this symbol to show that they were produced after 13th August 2005, and should be disposed of separately from normal household waste so that they can be recycled.
*Alan Wadkins ToolStore are only obliged to take-back items that are used for domestic/ household purposes, we are not obliged to accept any items used for commercial purposes. Alan Wadkins ToolStore is not responsible for the cost of collecting any items from domestic premises. Please contact us on 01325 46552 or email info@alanwadkinstoolstore.co.uk who will happily quote for collecting your WEEE product.
