By Martin Banks - 19th January 2012
MEPs fought hard to set a higher target
Chris Davies
MEPs have voted to tighten EU rules tackling the "growing mountain" of hazardous electronic waste.
At their plenary in Strasbourg on Wednesday deputies approved draft legislation which will require EU countries to collect 85 per cent of all electronic waste generated annually by the end of this decade.
TVs, mobile phones, computers and other electrical equipment are said to be among Europe's fastest growing waste stream, with millions of tonnes generated annually.
Despite already existing EU laws, only about one third of e-waste is currently said to be disposed of in an accountable and sustainable way.
The rest is either dumped in landfills or shipped - often illegally- to non-EU countries.
According to the UK Environmental Investigation Agency, Britain has a persistent problem with e-waste trafficking with up to half of all discarded computers in the UK entering the illegal trade streams.
An agreement on electronic waste, approved by member states last month, revises the 2003 waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) directive.
This will require member states by 2019 to collect 85 per cent of all electronic waste generated annually with an interim target of 45 per cent by 2015.
Retailers will have to accept old items, such as mobile phones, while manufacturers will be responsible for the recycling of larger items, such as washing machines.
The parliamentary vote yesterday was greeted by UK Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies, who negotiated the original EU legislation on WEEE.
He said, "MEPs fought hard to set a higher target for the recovery, recycling and re-use of e-waste. When treated properly our old electrical equipment needs not be rubbish but a valuable raw material.
"The new rules will make clearer what used items can be legally exported.
"This will help to curb the criminals who ship electronic gadgets overseas where it is dismantled by children and the poor often in hazardous and toxic conditions.
"Our waste must not become anther person's poison."
