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

​

It is designed to:

​

• 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.

​

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

​

• Collection.

• Treatment.

• Re-use and Recycling.

​

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

​

• 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.

​

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