The payments will be made from a new retailers’ compliance scheme, which has now been given the green light from the DTI. The scheme is being set up by the British Retail Consortium to help retailers cope with the demands of Europe’s WEEE Directive.
”The scheme offers clear benefits to consumers and retailers. It also provides producers with opportunities to develop low-cost collection and processing systems.“
– Nigel Smith, BRC
However, it appears that the amount of funds retailers
are to pay councils to upgrade CA sites for the
collection of WEEE has been slashed from the 5
million a year over five years originally suggested as
necessary by the government.
Retailers will now contribute to a fund of 8.2
million over three years, based on their share of the
UK market.
Analysis
The British Retail Consortium said independent
analysis had confirmed that the cost of upgrading the
1,074 civic amenity sites so they are suitable for
collecting WEEE would only reach the 8.2 million
mark.
The European WEEE Directive, expected to be
implemented in the UK after the summer recess ready
for a start of producer responsibility measures in
early 2006, had required retailers to join a
compliance scheme or provide free in-store take-back
services for WEEE. The take-back option will still be
allowable for retailers to meet UK WEEE regulations,
the BRC said.
But, under the BRC proposal, consumers will be able
deposit WEEE at an approved designated collection
point at their local civic amenity site. Producers of
electronics (or their agents) will then collect the
WEEE from the sites and remove it for recycling.
Education
A proportion of the 8.2 million retailers’ fund will
also support public education and special events to
further enhance and improve the collection of WEEE,
the BRC said. Retailers will be required to provide
consumers with information regarding collection points
for WEEE at point of sale.
The BRC director of corporate social responsibility,
Nigel Smith, said the proposals had received
“overwhelming” backing from retailers as a way they
could collectively fulfil their obligations under the
WEEE Directive.
Mr Smith said: “The scheme offers clear benefits to
consumers and retailers. It also provides producers
with opportunities to develop low-cost collection and
processing systems. It is a win for all and we
encourage every retailer to join up.”
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