Take on WEEE schemes, firms told

SMEs are being encouraged to join the businesses that have already signed up to one of the UK's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) compliance schemes.

The Environment Agency (EA) said that over 3000 firms have already signed up to one of the 37 schemes available around the country. "This is encouraging news that shows many companies are getting the message about the new WEEE Regulations and what they need to do," it said.

"The progress so far in implementing the WEEE regulations has been positive given the challenging timetable," said Liz Parkes, head of waste at the EA. "The regulations are an essential tool for reducing massive amounts of old electrical and electronic equipment currently thrown into landfill sites each year."

The regulations place the responsibility on firms which profit from the manufacture of electrical goods, for reducing their environmental impact once they have outlived their usefulness. Compliance schemes have been set up to help companies affected by the new rules, collecting and recycling products on their behalf.

"Registration fees reflect the scale and impact of individual businesses' WEEE in a fair and proportionate way," said the EA.