This means that the firm, which describes itself as one of the fastest growing recycling companies within the United Kingdom, is not currently permitted to issue WEEE recycling evidence. The suspension came into force on November 4.
A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: At present we’re unable to comment on the details of the TLC suspension as an accredited AATF, but we can say that suspension is generally used to stop the issuing of evidence notes pending our investigation into issues surrounding the operation of the business with regards to the terms and conditions of accreditation.
Based on the Treefield Industrial Estate in Leeds, TLC Recycling Ltd also has branches in Belfast, Dundee and Nottingham. It offers free collection for electrical equipment from households and says it caters for all WEEE including household, business to business and retail WEEE.
When contacted about the suspension, TLC Recycling declined to comment. But, the company states on its website that: We are fully compliant with all WEEE Obligations and Environment Agency Guidelines. Our systems ensure that there is a full Audit Trail.
According to an annual return filed with Companies House in June 2011, the companys registered office is in Stockport, Cheshire. It has two directors: Mr Ejeita Eyarhono of London, who is also company secretary, and Ms Sharon Agnes Jordan.
Commitments
While the suspension is unlikely to disrupt the entire WEEE system, it could mean that schemes which buy WEEE evidence from TLC may not have the tonnage to meet their viable plan commitments.
WEEE producer compliance schemes have to have viable plans in place as part of their operational plan, outlining how they plan to meet their members recycling obligations (see letsrecycle.com story).
Schemes have to provide viable plans to the Agency showing where they intend to get their evidence in the next three years and schemes have had to be very specific. This can be through directly collecting waste electrical and electronic equipment from civic amenity sites and/or making contractual agreements with other schemes for surplus evidence. Schemes must predict their obligation based on previous years figures.
So it is possible that some schemes which rely on TLC may have to re-write their viable plans and renegotiate with other schemes to find evidence.
One expert told letsrecycle.com: It could add complications for those dependent on TLC to get their evidence, especially if they had agreed fixed prices for that evidence and calculated their fees for members based on that.
According to an Environment Agency briefing note on the ‘Suspension and Cancellation of AATF and AE Approvals’, compliance schemes should ensure that you have in place contingency arrangements to divert your WEEE from a suspended AATF or AE to one able to treat it and provide you with evidence notes.
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