The government has announced its latest implementation
plans for the delayed WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment) Directive.
WEEE will now come into force on 1 July 2007, with the aim of
ensuring that all electronic hardware which is no longer wanted is
disposed of in an environmentally-friendly way.
The government originally planned to implement the directive
sooner, but announced delays after industry opposition.
The government has now launched a consultation on its latest
plans, which will last until 17 October.
The government has proposed the introduction of a network of
take-back facilities where users can return old equipment.
There will also be authorised treatment centres to recycle the
kit. These will also be used to check how much hardware passes
through the WEEE system.
Hardware manufacturers will also have to sign up to a WEEE
compliance scheme. Some PC manufacturers already take back kit from
their enterprise customers.
The full proposals can be accessed here:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/
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