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1. What is WEEE anyway?
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WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment - and
that means more or less anything with a plug or a battery that you no longer need.
It includes all sorts of everyday electrical and electronic items, from old washing
machines, vacuum cleaners or coffee machines through to computers, table lamps and
even some children's toys.
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2. What's this about a new law?
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ThatÃll be the WEEE regulations. They came fully into force in
July 2007. They're rules designed to make all of us - consumers, manufacturers,
distributors and retailers - take a more responsible attitude to the electrical
and electronic goods we throw away.
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3. How big is the problem?
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It's the fastest growing waste mountain in the European Union.
Last year in the UK we dumped two million tonnes of the stuff in landfill. A lot
of that was large household appliances, known as 'white goods'. It's taking up valuable
land and itÃs harming our environment.
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4. I've noticed a new symbol on some products. What does it mean?
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ThatÃs the crossed out wheelie bin logo. Every new electrical or
electronic product has to be labelled with it. Anything carrying the symbol cannot
be thrown out with the rest of the household rubbish. It must be disposed of separately.
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5. So, who's responsible for disposing of my old fridge?
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If you're buying a new fridge, the answer is, the retailer. Anyone
who sells or distributes electrical and electronic equipment - in store or online
- has to offer customers a free way of getting rid of their old equipment, when
they buy the equivalent new item.
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6. How will that work?
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Retailers can run their own takeback schemes or join in the national
scheme. Both run on a 'like for like' basis. You take back an old kettle when you
buy a new kettle, an old fridge when you buy a new one, and so on. If retailers
are part of the national scheme, they will give you information about free local
collection facilities. If they are running their own scheme, they will take back
equivalent items in the store.
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7. What about heavy items?
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DonÃt worry, you're not expected to carry your old washing machine
back to the shop! For bulky goods, retailers have to offer a 'collection on delivery'
service, taking away an old item of equipment when they deliver a similar new one.
They can choose whether or not to charge you for this.
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8. So, what is free?
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The takeback service - which includes the transport of the waste
equipment from the retail premises to the treatment plant, its storage, treatment
and recycling - is absolutely free to consumers.
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9. Can I take my old electrical and electronic goods to the local tip?
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Yes, if itÃs a designated collection facility. There may be one
of these special collection points at your local waste recycling centre. You can
either take the items yourself, or arrange for them to be collected and taken there.
You may be charged for a collection service.
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10. What happens after my old stuff is taken away? Is it recycled?
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Wherever possible, items are refurbished and reused, and recyclable
materials recovered. WhatÃs left is disposed of in an environmentally safe way.
The whole aim of the new regulations is cut the amount we send to landfill.
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11. Is it worth the bother?
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If you care about our environment, it is. The new regulations are
part of a move towards encouraging all of us to reduce the amount of waste we create,
and reuse, recover and recycle more. That includes WEEE.
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12. What else can I do?
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Buy good quality, longer-lasting electrical and electronic goods
in the first place. They may cost you more but theyÃll last longer. In the long
term they're better for your pocket and better for the environment.
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