Wen Hui (Grace) Teoh
Technical review of implementing the WEEE Directive in the United Kingdom
Wen Hui (Grace) Teoh
Technical review of implementing the WEEE Directive in the United Kingdom
| Wastes electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) are increasing due to technological change and replacement. The WEEE Directive seeks to prevent/reduce WEEE through reuse/recycling and recovery targets and improve the environmental performance of businesses. The draft UK WEEE Regulations 2006 proposed a tradable evidence notes model via producer compliance schemes for implementation. This research reviews the Directive and the draft regulations using sustainability criteria and assesses the implications for precious metals. The WEEE Directive induces more environmental awareness and recycling but slacks in wastes prevention and reuse. The draft regulations mirror the Directive but encompass reuse. The Directive and draft Regulations induce higher recyclability per equipment but do not necessarily induce an increase in the number of equipment. The recovery of precious metals is not expected to increase much beyond the amount presently recycled. |