Yesterday (17 October), the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced a consultation on Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Compliance Fee Methodology.
Online, the consultation – closing close 14 November – seeks to collect the views of its respondents on two proposals:
- The 'UK WEEE Regulations 2013' will establish a system in which producers of equipment are required to finance the cost of collection, treatment, recovery and recycling of WEEE arising from private households.
- The 'WEEE Regulations' will establish a system of annual collection targets that are imposed on producer compliance schemes (PCSs) and the Secretary of State has discretionary powers to approve a compliance fee methodology as an alternative form of compliance payable by PCSs, that fail to achieve their collection target.
Defra highlights that the consultation will be of interest to producers of electrical and electronic equipment, approved producer compliance schemes, WEEE treatment facilities, waste management companies, electrical re-use organisations and local authorities.
It questions whether the Secretary of State should set a compliance fee for the 2022 compliance period (1 January - 31 December 2022) and expresses interest in collecting views from those of interest.
Comments are also invited on the extent to which each of the proposals meet the published evaluation criteria.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.