Dr Philip Morton joins the organisation this week which aims to manage the manufacturers' responsibilities under the WEEE Directive. Dr Morton was managing director of Cleanaway's technical waste division for three years to December 2003, when he left the company as a result of restructuring. Now he will be appointing a team to work with him, although the location of REPIC's offices is still to be determined.
”The enormous task of recovery, recycling and treatment of all waste must be properly funded and organised. That's my first priority. “
– Dr Philip Morton
While it calls itself a waste management company, the organisation is also likely to develop in a compliance scheme mould and is not intending directly to handle WEEE but instead to sub-contract such work. However, its direct role under the WEEE regulations which will be implemented in the UK is still not certain as the DTI is still deliberating on the precise way this will be delivered.
With more than 36 member companies, REPIC is said to represent more than 70% of the major appliance, small appliance and consumer electronics markets.
A statement from the organisation said that it will, “on a contract basis, meet producers' responsibilities under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, which requires them to finance the recovery and recycling of all end of life product.”
Experience
Newly elected chairman of REPIC, Uwe Hanneck, chief executive of BSH Home Appliances Ltd, said he was delighted that Dr Morton was to head up REPIC.
“His great experience in the appliance and waste management areas will ensure that REPIC's members and customers will get the best possible service at the keenest prices,” declared Mr Hanneck.
Dr Morton will also take the lead in negotiations with ministers and officials on the precise terms of the UK Regulations implementing the WEEE Directive. “It's important we get the rules right,” he said. “The enormous task of recovery, recycling and treatment of all waste must be properly funded, properly organised. That's my first priority, and I will be talking at length to the government, local authorities and companies dealing with the waste stream,” added Dr Morton.
REPIC is urging the government to agree the financing of both historical and future waste through a separate environmental handling fee charged to consumers when they purchase products.
“It's the most sensible way to cover the cost of a forty year span of product made before the directive comes into effect,” went on Dr Morton. “We've got product over 20 years old entering the waste stream now, and we'll still be dealing in 20 years' time with product made this year. It is critical to ensure adequate funding is available on an ongoing basis to provide the infrastructure required for the UK to meet its obligations as a leading EU Member Country, “ he added.”
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