The survey was carried out by ERP, one of the largest waste electronics and electrical equipment (WEEE) recycling compliance schemes. The research found that only 15% of local authorities are committed to not changing the PCS which they have contracted to collect waste electrical equipment from their designated collection facilities (DCF) in the near future. DCFs are usually civic amenity sites.
We believe change was only to be expected
Dr Philip Morton, REPIC
The issue is of interest to the sector in the wake of an Environment Agency meeting with schemes earlier this month. Then the Agency said that with its counterpart in Scotland, it would be looking under the regulations at the operational plan of schemes to see how much WEEE they were collecting and how this linked to market share. But there are differing views over whether or not the Agencies are actually able to impose any changes.
There has been discussion in particular about market share in the wake of the Electrolink compliance scheme securing WEEE material from many civic amenity sites giving it more waste equipment than it needed for its own obligations. Electrolink was subsequently involved in talks with the REPIC scheme which has a larger obligation but fewer sites and some agreement was reached.
Dr Philip Morton , chief executive of REPIC, said today: “I was interested to read the article on letsrecycle (Local councils plan changes to WEEE Arrangements, 21 April [to see article, click here] which discussed how councils are looking to change, retender or review their PCS contracts.
Stability
“We are being contacted by a growing number of authorities looking for alternatives to the PCSs they are using now. They are looking for stability, security and to see what we can offer. REPIC provides flexible tailored solutions using the incumbent site operators wherever practical.” 
Dr Morton continued: “We believe change was only to be expected, particularly following confirmation again by the Environment Agencies at a meeting with BERR and all PCSs on April 10th, that over and under collection will be scrutinised and that PCSs need to collect an amount of WEEE equivalent to their members needs as stated in the Regulations. The Agencies stance and the Regulations are both very clear.”
He added: “I would echo the comments made in that article that it is understandable some local authorities should want to review their arrangements now everyone is clearer on their responsibilities and how the system should work.”
Caution
Other compliance schemes are also watching how the situation develops. Phil Conran, manager of the Biffa WEEE scheme and a member of the WEEE Advisory Board said: “We are certainly aware that local authorities are re-tendering their WEEE contracts, but we are not seeing a deluge and believe that most of this relates to the initial caution by LAs on the length of the first period they tendered out.
“Whether the recent Agency statement that they will be reviewing PCS Operational plans to assess their compliance with the requirement to collect the equivalent to their market share has an impact on the market remains to be seen, but it is difficult to see practically how the Authorities might be forced to take on a particular scheme simply because of market share.”
Procurement
Paul van Danzig, sales and marketing director of Electrolink, said: “My understanding of the situation is that a number of local authorities joined a scheme for the first compliance period and due to time constraints then, as well as their procurement and best value processes, some are now looking again at their PCS. This is to ensure they comply with procurement requirements.”
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