Each container has approximately 800 items of WEEE, mainly IT related, of which 75% cannot be reused or repaired. Arguments are that the IT is used to help these countries develop, the stark reality is that the vast majority of that exported cannot be reused or repaired and ends up on land dumps, where the toxic substances leak into water systems and poison them. There are no facilities for environmentally responsible recycling and until that is available all WEEE exported, whether business or charity can not be dealt with properly at its “end of life”. Hence redistributing electrical waste from developed countries to developing ones does not work and all that happens is we export our waste to the personal and environmental detriment of the people of these countries.

Is it about compliance or environmental and social responsibility?

Although it is appreciated that the impetus for having a policy in place has been the WEEE Regulations and the Hazardous Waste Regulations, it is argued that the issue isn’t just about complying with these Regulations, but about responsible disposal irrespective of the timings and details of legislation. Few organisations, public or private, can ignore the growing demand for goods and services to be disposed of in a socially and environmentally responsible way. It is especially important not only to show awareness of your corporate social responsibility but also to articulate to your customers and employees what actions are being taken