International Congress Raises Awareness of Challenges in Reaching EU e-Waste Recycling Targets

ZOETERMEER, The Netherlands, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, 15 March 2012, at the Wecycle international congress on e-waste 'The Future Flows - where do WEEE go from here?', a United Nations University report will be launched demonstrating the challenges faced across Europe in meeting the EU electrical equipment recycling figures.

The EU objective is for member states to by 2021 collect 65% of the average weight of electrical equipment and energy saving bulbs sold annually in a three year period. Current figures show that for this ambitious target to be met by industry, action is required by member governments to do more to help make electrical recycling easier for consumers.

At the congress, the United Nations University will present their report using modelling based on consumption and 'e-waste' in the Netherlands, research which also predicts how much 'e-waste'is going to be released in all EU countries. Figures from the report show that in 2010 the Netherlands reached 28 percent e-waste recycling, demonstrating the need for swift intervention.

Examples of possible additional government measures to aid greater e-waste recycling across the EU include : a delivery obligation for councils and shops; a registration obligation for collectors and recyclers, who are also obliged to report into the government with details of what they are doing with their e-waste and the 'old for new' principle in shops; and ensuring it is easy and free for consumers to hand in small electrical devices and energy saving bulbs . The congress will also discuss the need for exporters  of second hand electrical consumer goods for reuse in developing countriesto have a declaration stating that each of the devices is still in good working order.

About Wecycle

Wecycle is a non-for-profit industry membership organisation, which organises the collection and recycling of used electrical equipment and broken energy efficient lighting (e-waste). Wecycleaims to collect as much e-waste as possible and works together with councils, recycling companies, shops, schools and consumers in order to achieve this. Wecycle organises responsible collections, guarantees recycling with a high environmental efficiency on behalf of producers and importers and provides the government with the appropriate reports. More information: http://www.wecycle.eu.

The United Nations University Report 'The Dutch WEEE Flows' can be supplied upon request.

More information about the WEEE international congress can be viewed here.

SOURCE Wecycle