Government support will be critical to achieving new EU proposals that would see the requirement to recycle an average of 75% of the materials present in waste electronics and electrical equipment (WEEE) rise to 85% for some types of WEEE by 2016.
According to the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) by supporting UK research and development for reprocessing WEEE, recycling rates will be boosted and a valuable knowledge hub and new ‘green’ jobs created.
Approximately 60% of UK recycled metal is exported. This supports a strong recycling industry which makes an important contribution to the UK economy. However, the association also points out that unrestricted access to global commodity markets is vital for UK companies to compete globally, especially as more and more ‘rare earth’ metals are extracted from equipment.
The BMRA has also called for adequate provision to be made within the planning system in order to accommodate and develop metal recycling facilities that process an increasing variety of materials.
Furthermore, recycled metals must be seen in law as a secondary material rather than as a waste. The EU’s new End of Waste regulations have already made this the case for aluminium and non-ferrous scrap and the BMRA is hopeful that other materials will follow.
Speaking on the issue BMRA director general Ian Hetherington said: “We have seen recovery rates for WEEE climb quickly in recent years but there is still much more we can do. For WEEE recycling to meet its full potential we need the right legislation and support in place.”
“This will provide industry with the confidence needed to invest in research and development and in the new infrastructure needed to meet and exceed the higher targets,” he added.
Source: Waste Management World