EU introduces new e-waste laws

Published on 24 January 2012.

The European Parliament has passed new legislation on recycling electrical and electronic goods.

New rules on the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment have been introduced by the European Parliament.

The body has passed a law that aims to stop the dumping of goods such as computers, mobile phones and TV sets.

Under the legislation, from 2016, European Union member states will have to collect 45 per cent of e-waste from electrical and electronic goods put on sale.

This will rise to 65 per cent by 2019, with officials noting around only one-third is currently treated appropriately.

Rapporteur Karl-Heinz Florenz of Germany, a member of the European People’s Party, commented: “Europe will now recover more raw materials, which is excellent news both for the economy and for the environment.”

He added that negotiations were “difficult”, but he is “very satisfied” by the agreed collection rates.

A recent study compiled by the Waste and Resources Action Programme revealed the amount of e-waste effectively being recycled in the UK is on the rise.

Posted by Salma Davidson