Where to recycle your old electrical goods

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) will into force in the UK in July 2007. It aims to minimise the impact of electrical and electronic goods on the environment, by increasing re-use and recycling and reducing the amount of WEEE going to landfill. It makes producers responsible for financing the collection, treatment, and recovery of waste electrical equipment, and obliging distributors to allow consumers to return their waste equipment free of charge.

In July, you should start seeing the effect of the WEEE Directive at your local authority tip, in shops and on new electrical products, with new signage telling you how and where you can dispose of electrical waste free of charge.

The two household waste recycling centres in Bristol at Avonmouth and St Phillips are providing special areas for customers to dispose of their unwanted electronic and electrical goods, which will then be treated and recycled:

Avonmouth Recycling Centre
Kingsweston Lane
Avonmouth
Bristol
BS11 0YS

St Phillips Recycling Centre
Folly Lane
Off Days Road
St Philips
Bristol
BS2 0QS

Bristol City council also offers householders a doorstep collection service, charging £15 for up to three bulky items, which may include electrical goods. The electrical goods will then be separated for treatment and recycling. There are concessions for householders on some mean-tested benefits or pension credits.

Householders in Bristol can find out more by telephoning the City Council customer service centre on 0117 922 3838 or logging on at www.bristol.gov.uk/recycling.

Find out more about the WEEE Directive at the Department for Trade & Industry website at www.dti.gov.uk (and then search for WEEE) or email: weee@dti.gsi.gov.uk