WEEE PROCESSORS

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) controls the way old electrical equipment is disposed of, reducing waste and promoting recycling.

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It is designed to:

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• Tighten up the treatment of waste, removing hazardous materials.

• Drive recycling versus waste.

• Make producers accountable for financing the safe disposal of old electrical and electronic equipment.

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The WEEE directive is legally binding and sets strict criteria for WEEE items:

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• Collection.

• Treatment.

• Re-use and Recycling.

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Smoke detectors are radioactive and must be pre-treated, with the radioactive element removed BEFORE they are disposed of via a WEEE route:

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• Avoids contamination of waste sites.

• Prevents radioactive materials entering recycled metals.

• Safe disposal is achievable only when radioactives are removed.

• Only once the radioactive element is removed may a WEEE disposal route be used.

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Legislation clearly states the radioactive element in smoke detectors MUST be removed before treatment.