Electrical equipment is the fastest growing category of waste across the European Union (EU). The UK alone now generates around 1m tonnes of waste electrical equipment annually. 

The long-heralded Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations came into force on the 2nd January 2007, implementing the provisions of the EU WEEE Directive in the UK.

The Directive introduces producer and retailer responsibility for WEEE. Producers will have to finance treatment and recycling/recovery of separately collected WEEE in the UK and Retailers will have an obligation to offer take back services to householders.