Transform enters talks with new logistics firm

Transform was set up by waste management company Biffa, recyclers European Metals Recycling and logistics firm Endeva, which dropped out of the project after going into receivership last year.

The partnership aims to offer a recycling service to companies obligated under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which places responsibility for the collection of old electronics on retailers and their recycling and treatment on manufacturers.

Now the compliance scheme has begun talks with another logistics firm to provide the transport of waste electrical goods from collection points to recycling plants.

A spokesperson for Transform told letsrecycle.com: “We are talking to a logistics company on the basis of a joint collaborative agreement instead of a full partnership.”

The spokesperson explained that once this agreement with a new logistics firm is in place, Transform will be discussing members' joining fees and then recruiting companies who need compliance. The scheme should be ready to begin recycling operations this summer as the WEEE Directive is implemented into UK law.

It is thought that about 40-60,000 manufacturers and retailers will be obligated under the WEEE Directive and while many of the larger companies have set up their own compliance schemes, Transform is looking to target smaller businesses, the spokesperson said.

Consultation

The government has already conducted two consultation exercises to get stakeholders' opinions on how the WEEE Directive should be interpreted in the UK. Stakeholders include local authorities, electrical goods manufacturers and retailers, WEEE recyclers and waste disposal companies.

Transform believes that, unlike with the End of Life Vehicle Directive in which the government has been accused of favouring manufacturers over recyclers, the DTI has taken a relatively balanced approach to the WEEE Directive so far.

“The consultations have been very good. They have been very fair in their coverage and analysis,” the spokesperson said.

A third consultation on draft regulations is expected to be published by the DTI later this spring.