Why Should Businesses Undertake A WEEE Recycling Programme?

It really is not a question of whether you believe in recycling and helping the environment, but of what is becoming a necessity for us all to keep going. What is WEEE Recycling Program? This is the European Economic Unions Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive. It is meant to reduce waste coming from discarded electronic and electrical products. This directive puts the responsibility for environmental impact on the producers of the products. The directive encourages producers and end users to re-use, recycle, recover and environmentally dispose of electrical and electronic devices.

The European Economic Union has sets of rules and regulations for end users and manufacturers to adhere to the WEEE Recycling initiative. There are sets of rules and helpful advice on proper recycling available for end users and for manufacturers. One rule that applies to both categories is that WEEE must be recycled or disposed of separately from other waste and in an approved way. There are lists of the affected products, and manufacturers are putting the official WEEE symbol on their products. This symbol is an image of a crossed wheelie trash bin and a date bar.

Many electronic product manufacturers are starting programs where their customers can return used products to them for recycling, environmentally friendly disposal or rehabilitation and re use. These companies have specific rules and requirements for turning in no longer useful electronics. One can call the company's customer service line or go to their website for details on recycling services. Customers are often limited with respect to hours and locations for turning in old electronics.

Another answer to the question:"Why should businesses undertake a WEEE recycling program?" is the sheer amount of harmful chemicals and metals used in manufacturing electronics. Some of these are lead, mercury and other heavy metals. These metals and other chemicals are harmful to humans and the environment if not properly handled. They can leach into soil and ground water supplies causing health hazards to the general population of an area. Even if there were not harmful chemicals and heavy metals to worry about, the electronic equipment is adding to the fast filling landfills. When all the landfills are full, where will the garbage go? That is a very troubling question to many governments.

WEEE Recycling programs can cut down on chemical pollution as well as well as the filling of landfills. There are often useable parts on the electronics that can be salvaged and re used. Some machines can be repaired and resold. This saves on the use of limited resources for new products.

One precaution is advisable. Check out the company or organization that will be recycling the electronic equipment to make sure they are reputable. Some companies harvest useable parts and send the rest overseas where they are handled improperly. Harmful components can actually be put in incinerators where toxins are allowed to pollute the air. It only takes a few minutes to check out the company who will be recycling the discarded electronics - but can save the environment from toxins in the air, ground water or soil.

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To find out more information about WEEE recycling please visit Sims Recycling: http://uk.simsrecycling.com/weee-recycling-services

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