Charity attacks EU’s ‘tepid’ WEEE approach

The European Union’s Environment Council reached political agreement on revised directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

The EU expected to generate around 12 million tonnes of WEEE a year by 2020.

Key elements of the new agreement include all member states must achieve a collection rate of 45%.

Increase in recovery and recycling by 5%three years after the entry into force of the new rules, with reuse of whole appliances counting towards recovery targets

But these measures still need agreement with the European Parliament, which is expected to take place in the second half of this year.

Computer Aid’s environmental advocacy officer, Haley Bowcock, said: “We are frustrated that the European Council is taking such a softly-softly approach in addressing the looming e-waste crisis.

“It is clear the bold changes to the WEEE Directive are necessary to mitigate the environmental and health risks posed by e-waste.

“We hope negotiations between the council and the European Parliament later this year yield a Directive that is as bold in ambition as the exploding e-waste problem is serious”

Luke Walsh