The Waste and Resources Action Programme is seeking bids for projects that will showcase the “closed loop” recycling of plastics from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
” Previous projects on recycled PET for food applications have shown that recycled materials can perform in demanding applications. “
– Gerrard Fisher, WRAP
The government-funded market development organisation has issued an open tender for projects demonstrating both the technical and economic viability of recycling WEEE plastics back into new electronic products.
Companies taking part will also have to show how the environmental impact of the process compares with the use of virgin plastics in making new electrical appliances.
Directive
Hopes are that the projects will drive the market for recycled WEEE plastics when Europe's WEEE Directive comes into force in the UK next year. The Directive will make electronics manufacturers and retailers responsible for collecting and recycling waste electronics (see letsrecycle.com story).
The open tender is not just open to major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) – bids are welcome from single organisations or teams of manufacturing experts that have appropriate experience and knowledge.
Gerrard Fisher, WRAP's manufacturing development project manager, said: “By encouraging major OEMs to get involved we aim to make this an opportunity that they can continue to exploit once the project is completed.
“WRAP's previous projects on recycled PET for food applications have shown that recycled materials can perform in demanding applications, we'd; like to repeat that success in the EEE sector,” Mr Fisher added.
| Related links: |
Full details of how to apply and the timetable are available on the WRAP website or by emailing amanda.brewerton@wrap.org.uk quoting the reference MDD002.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 12:30pm, Friday 25th August 2006.
Subscribe for free