WEEEInformation

WEEE Explained

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive is now UK law (WEEE).The regulation aims to make manufacturers pay for the collection, usage and salvage of waste electrical equipment. The guidelines also mean that distributors of equipment must allow householders to return their waste equipment free of charge.

The amount of WEEE throw away is increasing by up to 5%, therefore making it the fastest waste stream in the UK. Much of this ends up in landfill sites releasing harmful toxic chemicals therefore contaminating soil and water resulting in wildlife habitat being harmed. Many electrical items that we throw away can be repaired or recycled. Recycling items helps to save our earth and also reduces the environmental risks connected with sending electrical goods to landfill.

Distributors of new the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) have role in reducing the amount of WEEE going into landfill sites.

The Light Bulb Shop is obliged under these regulations to offer our customers free take-back of their WEEE on a like-for-like basis when they buy a new Electrical or Electronic product from us within 28 days of purchase. For example, if a customer bought a new fluorescent tube from us we would accept back their old fluorescent tube and prevent it going into a landfill site by disposing of it safely.

Customers must return their WEEE item to us within 28 days of purchasing their old item. If you are unable to send the products back to us you may take your old lamps to a recycling point near you.

Please visit www.recycle-more.co.uk to find your closest participating site. Any new electrical and electronic products that are placed on the European market must demonstrate the Crossed-Out Wheeled Bin symbol these items should not be disposed of with household waste which could end up in landfill sites. For further information please email us on info@thelightbulbshop.co.uk

Electronic and electrical equipment covered by the WEEE regulations. These fall into ten categories, the list includes examples of goods in each category, you can find a full list on the Environment Agency website.

Large household appliances - fridges, radiators and air conditioning appliances

Small household appliances - sewing machines, toasters and clocks

IT and telecommunications equipment - computers and their accessories, calculators and phones

Consumer equipment - TVs, radios and musical instruments

Lighting equipment - fluorescent lamps and non-household luminaires

Electrical and electronic tools - drills, welding equipment and lawnmowers

Toys, leisure and sports equipment - electric train sets, video games and slot machines

Medical devices - dialysis machines, ventilators and radiotherapy equipment

Monitoring and control instruments - smoke detectors,

Thermostats and other instruments used in industrial installations

Automatic dispensers - drinks, food and money dispensers