WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) has become well known in the UK since 2007, following the EU’s WEEE directive.
Because of the directive, new legislation has been implemented to make sure that EU nations monitor how their WEEE was collected and processed. The result of this enabled all nations to create targets and improve recovery and recycling levels – great news for the environment.
What is classed as WEEE?
The easiest definition of WEEE is an electrical item with a plug or battery. Due to the sheer amount of affordable technology readily available in this technological age, it’s one of the fastest growing wastes and one that has surged in workplaces across the country.
Understanding your businesses Duty of Care
Businesses have a legal responsibility to make sure that all the waste they produce adheres to the waste regulations. This will guarantee that businesses are acting responsibly through reducing wasteful practise.
Known as the Duty of Care, it extends to how WEEE is stored, moved and disposed of. The Duty of Care lasts from as soon as the WEEE is produced until it’s treated.
One of the most important measures a business can take is to fulfil their Duty of Care by entrusting it to the hands of a licensed WEEE contractor, like WEEE recycling by Envirowaste.co.uk, who will dispose of it in the most environmentally friendly manner. Your business will always need to check that the contractor provides the correct documentation, including the Waste Transfer Notice. If a company doesn’t have this, stay well clear.
Services that collect and process WEEE, as well as other types of your businesses waste, need to be regulated and properly authorised. Collectors need to be registered as an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF) and also a carry a Waste Carriers License.
Waste Transfer Notices
Waste transfer notices are basically receipts that show the waste has been collected and transferred to a third party. They are also used to indicate if the waste has been correctly disposed of in compliance with the law. All businesses need to complete waste transfer notices if they want to transfer waste with any third party.
If WEEE is collected by a waste carrier, it’s the holder’s responsibility to make sure that the waste transfers are properly authorised. When in doubt, ask the collector for their details.
Waste Transfer Notices need to include the following information:
- The current holder of the waste
- Who is collecting the waste
- A description of the waste
- Quantity of waste
- How the waste is contained
- Place, time and date of transfer
- The Standard Industry Code of your business
- Details of the license permit or exemption of the person receiving or collecting the waste.
- Signatures of both parties
Businesses are required to keep a copy of the waste transfer notes for two years.
Hazardous WEEE
Many types of WEEE contain hazardous materials, including; LCD screens, fluorescent light bulbs and cathode ray tubes. This type of WEEE is dealt with differently from regular WEEE. When hazardous WEEE is being dealt with, a Hazardous Waste Consignment Notice is necessary in place of a Waste Transfer Notice. Make sure you are always aware which of the two you are disposing of.
