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Wincanton tackles WEEE and fridge take back and processing

Wincanton is looking to expand its logistic service by offering collection and processing of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The firm is already supporting Comet who has reinstated its take back of fridges.

Wincanton, of Somerset, owns a site in Billingham in Teeside which was given an Environment Agency permit to store and process waste fridges including CFC handling, when it was under the control of P&O.; The site also handles the processing, recycling and refurbishment of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). In December 2002, Wincanton paid 152.5 million in its acquisition of P&O; Trans European.

Tony Pendleton, business venture manager, said: “We are looking to move into a return logistics specialisation. We are the only company to offer that in the UK. We'll take back everything and we'll control everything.”

The company is already contracted by several local authorities to collect, store and process fridges on the site. On May 12, 2003 Comet, the electrical and white goods retailer, reinstated its fridge take back with Wincanton providing the logistics and reprocessing. Comet is now Wincanton's biggest contract.

Wincanton is working with the US company GENCO to focus on its return logistics services. Mr Pendleton said: “Currently, we are looking to embed the process we're using with Comet. We are looking to approach other companies and to start talking with stores over the next couple of weeks.”

Many electrical equipment retailers have take back schemes in place but had to stop taking back waste fridges at the beginning of 2002 when EU legislation required end-of-life fridges and freezers to have CFCs removed before disposal. Mr Pendleton said that Wincanton had received interest about its 'unique complete service' from a few major high street stores. Electrical and electronic retailers will be obliged to run take back schemes under the WEEE Directive including fridges.

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