[tinwhiskers] More of a WEEE Directive than a RoHS but FYI in any case.
- From: Frank Simpson <FSimpson@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tinwhiskers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 12:48:10 -0700
Hello,
This is along the lines of a WEEE Directive than being RoHS Compliant, but
FYI in any case. Of course it comes down on all of us to be knowledgeable
of our own actions.
THX
fs
Link:
http://smt.pennnet.com/news/display_news_story.cfm?Section=WireNews&Category=HOME&NewsID=178395&pc=ENL
British e-Waste Recycling Falls Short
Business Wire (May 22, 2009)
BRACKNELL, London, May 22, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Consumer confusion
around the recycling options available for old electronics has led to a
country of technology wasters, with one out of two British consumers
failing to correctly recycle their old technology and the nation's young
the most notable accumulators.
This is according to new research conducted for Dell on the recycling
habits of 5,000 consumers across the UK (1,000 respondents), France,
Germany, Italy and Spain.
The findings reveal interesting gaps when it comes to electronics
recycling depending on gender, age and nationality, with Germans proving
the savviest (four in five regularly recycle electronics) compared to the
more complacent British public (only one in two).
In general awareness levels of electronic manufacturers' recycling schemes
and government initiatives such as the WEEE Directive, the British again
fall behind and are the least aware of such initiatives or legislation
compared to other consumers in Europe. In fact, when it comes to
understanding the importance of correct technology recycling, UK consumers
claim to be more influenced by the media than by government legislation.
However, while the British are less informed about the correct procedures
for electronics recycling, and show little interest in the available
recycling initiatives and legislation to do so, this does not mean that
they make the worst recyclers overall. In fact, the level of British
consumers who claim to regularly recycle paper, plastics and glass, is
higher than the European average, according to the study.
Consumer recycling behaviour is also found to vary across the UK dependent
on region:
-- Respondents in Scotland and London are found to care more about the
implications of improper technology disposal, with four percent of
consumers in each location claiming to recycle electronics more than any
other category of waste (4 percent of respondents versus a 1 percent
average across the UK)
-- The Welsh on the other hand are more complacent - or less informed
about how to recycle technology - with consumers there recycling
electronics the least often of all UK regions (17 percent of Welsh
respondents have never recycled technology)
-- The influence on recycling by the media is most apparent in London,
with 85 percent claiming to be more influenced by local news than by the
government
-- A lack of awareness about technology recycling is found to be most
apparent in the North East, with nearly 3/4 of residents there claiming
they do everything they can to recycle - but less than one percent
recycling electronics
-- 60 percent of respondents in Yorkshire and the Humber had never heard
of the WEEE directive or other similar government legislation before
whereas 60 percent of people in the South West of England had heard of
such legislation. In addition, 72 percent of respondents in the North West
were unaware of their computer manufacturer's recycling policies.
To increase technology recycling and address Europe's fastest growing
waste stream(1), Dell encourages organisations' and governments to adopt a
more targeted approach in communicating the free technology recycling
initiatives currently available in the UK and why it's so important for
the British public to get involved. Consumers can also follow four simple
steps:
-- Learn about electronic manufacturers' recycling policies by looking for
recycling information in the product literature or on the manufacturer's
Web site. Initiatives such as those run by Dell, are often free and
include collection
-- Call their local council or council-run recycling centre to establish
where they have the facilities in place to deal with electronics
-- Share knowledge and discuss recycling with others (join the discussion
on www.regeneration.org)
-- Make recycling fun and educational and involve family, friends and
neighbours.
Dell's own takeback and recycling programme offers consumers no-charge
recycling of any brand of used computer or printer with the purchase of a
new Dell computer or printer; and any Dell equipment with or without a
purchase. The global consumer recycling programme also provides consumers
with an option to donate their old computers to non-profit organisations
that help people in their own communities.
Quotes:
Jean Cox-Kearns, Recycling and Takeback Manager, Dell EMEA, says: "The
research suggests different motivations behind recycling depending on sex,
age and geography. It tells us that electronic manufacturers such as Dell
need to adopt a more targeted approach in communicating the free
technology recycling initiatives available and why it's so important to
get involved."
Tony Juniper, former Friends of the Earth director and independent
sustainability advisor, says: "These findings show a clear need to drive
awareness with consumers around the mounting issue of e-waste and its
serious implications to health and the environment. Already, we see
positive champions at large across Europe so it's now just a case of
electronic manufacturers and governments in every country making the
disposal of old electrical equipment as accessible and as commonplace as
recycling old paper, plastics and glass."
Caroline Fines, Executive Director, Global Cool says: "It's great that
companies like Dell are taking action to help customers recycle their old
electronic goods. Global Cool has also found that, as well as enabling
people to be more environmentally friendly, it's important to also inspire
them to do the right thing and show them the positive difference that
their actions make."
Notes to Editors:
1. The research was commissioned by Dell and conducted by Research Now:
http://www.researchnow.co.uk 2. For further information on this research
and Dell's recycling initiatives, please follow: www.dell.com/earth
3. Additional photography, data, graphics and quotes are available on
request
4. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE
Directive) came into force in January 2007 and aims to both reduce the
amount of electrical and electronic equipment being produced and to
encourage everyone to reuse, recycle and recover it. To find out more,
follow:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/32084.aspx
Links:
Dell.co.uk
Dell's Direct2Dell blog
Dell's Flickr page
About Dell
People worldwide can buy Dell online, by phone and in 24,000 stores.
SOURCE: Dell
CONTACT: Ellen Murphy Dell Inc +44 (0) 1344 378 523 Ellen_murphy@xxxxxxxx
or Caroline Taylor Enfatico +44 (0)2075434883 caroline.taylor@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Copyright Business Wire 2009
Regards,
Frank Simpson
Component Engineer / Document Control
XP Power, Inc.
990 Benecia Avenue
Sunnyvale, California 94085
fsimpson@xxxxxxxxxxx
Direct (408)-524-8591
FAX (408)-522-9989
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