IT firms 'unprepared' for recycling law change
04 January 2007
GREEN Euro-MP Caroline Lucas has called on the Government to improve information and training about recycling electronic equipment to business after a survey found three-quarters of IT technicians were unaware of their responsibilities to recycle computer components under EU law which came into force on January 1st .
"The UK is already lagging behind its EU counterparts in the recycling of electronic waste, much of which ends up in Britain's over-flowing landfill sites or burnt in incinerators, despite often containing toxic ingredients," she said.
"The responsibility for this lies directly at the door of the government - and this survey shows that despite the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive coming into force, it has failed to live up to this responsibility.
"Until it does so, and properly explains the legislation to industry - and offers training to make sure firms comply with the rules - the environment will continue to pay the price."
The South-East England MEP made her comments after it was reported that nearly three-quarters of IT workers surveyed were unprepared for - or unaware of - the legislation.
According to research by law firm Eversheds , 74 per cent of IT staff need more information about WEEE, 50 per cent are yet to make contact with a recycler, and 22 per cent have no idea what the directive is.
"This is yet another example of the Government saying one thing and doing another on the environment. Tony Blair talks of exercising global leadership on climate change - but he can't even properly implement existing EU environmental legislation, " added Dr Lucas.
