Euro-MP tackles electrical waste mountain

Chris Davies MEP with some office WEEE that would be subject to the new legislation

New measures to promote the recycling of millions of tonnes of electrical and electronic waste (WEEE) have been approved by MEPs in Brussels.

Although many items, such as mobile phones, contain valuable rare metals that are in short supply, only one third of Europe's electronic waste mountain currently reaches professional recyclers.

As part of the legislation Rochdale Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies persuaded the European Parliament to end a loophole that has led to waste electrical equipment being dismantled by children and the poor working in extremely hazardous conditions.

With criminals often claiming that the electrical equipment is being sent for use abroad, he has secured support from the European Parliament for measures to require every item to be individually certified as in working order.

Without the change rogue traders could dump old computers, televisions and household goods on developing countries as a way of getting round strict EU recycling laws.

Often the toxic waste generated would be dumped in landfill and deadly chemicals could enter the water and food supplies.

Mr Davies said: “Green-minded consumers deserve to know that when they pass their old gadgets in for recycling and disposal the components will be reused and dangerous chemicals will be disposed of properly.

"When properly recycled our old electrical equipment needs not be considered as rubbish but as a valuable raw material.

“If people can export used electronics for reuse elsewhere then more power to them but if they are using it as an excuse to make our laptops into someone else’s toxic sludge then they need to be stopped.

“Our waste must not become another person’s poison.”