Croydon ARC - the appliance and furniture reuse centre

WEEE and Environmental Regulations

WEEE REGULATIONS (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)

Retailers Pay for Collection  

For ordinary householders, the WEEE regulations will be most apparent when you buy a new piece of equipment. The retailer or distributor, (including mail-order or Internet supplier), is obliged to facilitate the take back of the item it replaces by either:

Allowing the WEEE to be returned to them free in store, or collecting when they deliver a new item to you, or

Joining a “Take-back scheme”. Joining one of these schemes releases the retailer from in-store take-back, but they must provide information on recycling facilities in the store.

The Distributor Take-back Schemes have contributed to a pool of money that has gone to Local Authorities to improve their waste collection sites. In the new jargon, these are known as “Designated Collection Facilities” (DCF’s).

Producers pay for Recycling

Producers of electrical equipment now have new responsibilities too.

Recycling of the WEEE can be expensive because, for example, both fridges and TVs contain hazardous material that needs correct processing. Fridges and fridge freezers contain substances that damage the Ozone Layer and contribute to Global Warming. TVs contain lead or phosphorus and fluorescent tubes may contain harmful mercury.

Re-use is needed. 

It is recognised by industry and Governments, both here and in Europe, that re-use of whole equipment is the most efficient way of dealing with it when the first user discards it. Why? Because by refurbishing, safety testing and re-supplying the equipment, we

• Extend the life of the product

• Save on Carbon Emissions (by not making a new product)

• Save natural resources

• Provide cheaper items to those who may not be able afford new

• Provide training and job opportunities in areas where they are most needed.

The Appliance Reuse Centre was involved in consultations and development of the WEEE Directive. As members of the national Furniture Reuse Network (FRN), ARC management have been in the forefront of development of the infrastructure for dealing with WEEE. Today, ARC is Registered as a DCF, and is able to collect domestic and business WEEE for recycling and reuse.

We are registered as an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility for refurbishing domestic appliances.

We provide a collection service for household WEEE for Croydon, Sutton, Kingston and Merton Councils.

CALL US FOR A QUOTE TODAY

020 8662 8002