As the United Kingdom tries to look for new and innovative ways to get greener there are a variety of ways in which the government is getting involved. Studies have shown that people are more likely to do things like recycling if they are given some type of incentive to do so. This incentive can come in the form of positive re-enforcement, where the person is rewarded for their behavior, or as negative re-enforcement where they are punished for failing to do something. Both approaches have been effective, as cash or vouchers for recycling programs have been a big boost, and punishments like the dustbin tax have been effective in helping to raise recycling rates in the United Kingdom. Recently one company became the first to feel the wrath of the UK government for failing to reduce its impact on the environment.
Sita Metal Recycling has become the first company in the United Kingdom to receive a fine for failing to live up to some of the new regulations regarding recycling and waste management. All of the offenses committed by Sita were regarding the treatment of electronic devices under the new WEEE directives. Sita plead guilty to four counts and will be forced to pay a fine of four thousand pounds, as well as the court costs for the case, which were around five thousand pounds. Sita was accused of not properly treating WEEE by exporting it through a non-approved exporter, and they were also accused of treating WEEE before they were authorized to do so.
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