Sources in the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) industry indicate the quality of recycling practices in Germany with regards to WEEE materials is poor and that the UK is in danger of making some similar mistakes.
Despite the fact that recycling rates in Germany are said to be among the best in Europe, a report recently published by German Capital magazine illuminated the quality of German recycling practice. The report says that while: “in Austria, recyclers succeed in extracting 91 per cent of the CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) from old appliances in an environmentally friendly way, and disposing of these substances without any emission to the atmosphere, the rate in Germany is a mere 42 per cent.”
According to the report, fridges and freezers from Germany often end up in West Africa which is inefficient not only in terms of fuel for transportation but is also environmentally unfriendly as the appliances are taken apart and disposed of “in the most primitive way”.
David Sutcliffe, a WEEE specialist worries the UK might make similar mistakes. “UK plc had better take its head out of the sand before the same happens here,” he said.
He added: “There are a number of people who are trying to comply with Best Available Treatment Recovery and Recycling Techniques (BATRRT) introduced by Defra but there are others who are using the legislation like “smoke and mirrors”. People are interpreting the legislation to use the word ‘reuse’ lightly, so ‘yes’ it is going to Africa instead of being treated properly in Europe.”
Dr Phillip Morton, CEO of producer compliance scheme, REPIC, shares Sutcliffe’s concerns. “The key to ensuring that WEEE is tracked, traced and treated appropriately lies in allowing access to WEEE for compliance schemes in proportion to their members’ needs. This is currently not the case in the UK,” he said.
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