The Agency has said that it is stepping up its activities to identify illegal exports, following research from the Industry Council on Electronics Recycling, which suggested that about 23,000 tonnes of WEEE are being shipped to non-OECD countries in the Far-East and Africa (see letsrecycle.com story).
” There are strict rules setting out how waste electrical equipment may be exported and where it can legally be sent “
– Liz Parkes, Environment Agency
Under current rules no waste – including WEEE – can be sent abroad for disposal. Companies wishing to export waste equipment for “minor repair” may do so with authorisation from the Agency. It is illegal to send WEEE, which contain hazardous components, to a non-OECD or developing country for disposal or recovery.
Liz Parkes, head of waste regulation at the Environment Agency, said: “This report shows companies in England and Wales are not following the rules or are unaware of the rules. We will tackle any illegal export activity we find.”
Enforcement
To crack down on illegal waste exports the Agency will be setting up an enforcement team that will increase the number of random inspections carried out at ports across England and Wales. Where there is evidence of an offence being committed, exporters will face court action, the Agency said.
Ms Parkes explained: “We have set up a special enforcement project to look at the problem in this country and internationally we are working with eleven other European Member States on a project that will see inspection and enforcement stepped up at 25 ports around Europe.”
Intelligence
The Agency will also be working closely with HM Customs and Excise in the UK and through the European network of regulators to share information and intelligence on illegal trade in waste across the whole of Europe.
Ms Parkes said: “There is a legitimate overseas market, in Europe and beyond, for used equipment such as computers and fridges. For example there is a very large demand for second hand products in China which following minor repair can be re-used.
“There are strict rules, however, setting out how waste electrical equipment may be exported and where it can legally be sent,” she added.
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