Are You Missing Out on Savings From Waste Electrical Regulations?
As part of a small business you are probably
aware of just how many costs are involved in
the day to day operation. Yet a huge
proportion of small businesses are unaware
of potential savings to be made through the
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Regulations that came into force in January
2007; as well as the benefits to their green
credentials.
A survey by environmental guidance site
NetRegs found that despite it affecting the
vast majority of businesses, only 12% of
small and medium sized businesses could name
the WEEE regulations unprompted; and 64% had
not heard of them at all.
This is despite the fact that most small
businesses will save money in the long term
through reduced waste disposal costs; as the
regulation state that for electrical
equipment bought after August 2005, it is
the producer who is responsible for waste
disposal, treatment and recycling.
Richard Martin, NetRegs programme manager,
comments: “SMEs generate 60 per cent of all
commercial waste in England and Wales so
it’s critical that all users of electrical
equipment understand what WEEE means for
them – and it is worrying that only 1 in 8
SMEs are aware of WEEE legislation
unprompted.
“The good news for SMEs is that WEEE
legislation can help businesses dispose of
their electrical waste products sustainably
- in many cases, at no cost. Where
previously businesses may have had to pay
for a skip, now they can contact the
producer of electrical goods they purchased
since 2005 to dispose of their WEEE. We
strongly recommend that SMEs incorporate
WEEE into their procurement procedures, so
that when buying a new piece of equipment
they check that the producer is legally
registered and already conforms to WEEE. At
the end of the equipment’s life, disposal
should be easier and should also improve the
SME’s green credentials.
“Many sectors wrongly believe that WEEE is
only relevant to businesses in the
electrical sector. In fact, if you use a
computer, a photocopier, or even have a
microwave in your staff kitchen, you need to
be aware of what WEEE means for you.”
For more information on WEEE Regulations
visit the Netregs site here.
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