A £10m scheme is being funded by retailers to reduce the amount of electrical waste that ends up in landfill sites.
The Distributor Take-back Scheme (DTS) is a response to new legislation on the disposal of used electrical equipment. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations came into force on July 1.
Under the DTS, retailers are giving the money to local authorities to help them upgrade facilities for collecting used electricals at local waste sites.
“Retailers are spending £10 million to help make it possible for customers to dispose of waste electricals responsibly so that more is recycled and less buried in holes in the ground,” said Kevin Hawkins, BRC director general.
“Most local authority sites have long collected this material. The retailers' money will help guarantee all consumers have access to suitable recycling facilities.”
Hawkins said the scheme was another example of retailers demonstrating their willingness to help consumers reduce their environmental impact.
“Already this year retailers have agreed to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags by 25% by the end of 2008. That is on top of moves by retailers to reduce the impact of their own activities,” he added.
The new WEEE regulations mean businesses that manufacture, brand, import, sell or store electrical and electronic equipment are now responsible for its disposal.
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