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	The WEEE Directive		Cost of Disposing Computers
How to arrange disposal	PC Disposal
			Producer of Hazardous Waste?

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. How to dispose of old computer equipment, etc.

The WEEE directive came into force, in England, 1st July 2007.  It aims to minimise the impact of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment on the environment by increasing the re-use and recycling of old computers, electrical equipment, etc. thereby reducing the amount that goes into landfill sites.

Manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) now have an obligation to assist with the disposal of waste equipment. Manufacturers must sign up to a WEEE compliance scheme. There are numerous schemes available which will affect the service or assistance offered.

For schools this means:

No ICT equipment can be disposed of through the school's general waste collection process.

Any computers, or storage media, that may have have held personal or confidential data must have their hard drives 'scrubbed' either before or as part of the disposal process. This is to ensure you do not contravene the Data Protection Act.

Schools should have a policy setting out how redundant ICT equipment will be disposed of. An example policy can be found here...

• WEEE purchased on or after 13th August 2005

Any WEEE (waste computers, etc) purchased on or after 13th August 2005, that you wish to dispose of, are the responsibility of the manufacturer.  That is, the manufacturer of this WEEE is obliged to dispose of the waste equipment Free of Charge (eg RM or DELL).  However, whilst the disposal of the WEEE is free there may be a cost for transportation to the ‘nominated’ collection centre. For example, RM charge £4 per item (August 2009).

(Notes:

1. RM do not manufacture monitors, therefore you will have to contact the manufacturer direct or arrange for them to be disposed of through one of the alternative methods.
2. Many manufacturers require the request be submitted within a maximum of 30 days following dispatch of new equipment.)

• WEEE purchased before 13th August 2005

If you are purchasing new EEE (computers, etc) to replace existing equipment that was purchased before 13th August 2005 it is the responsibility of the manufacturer (of the new equipment) to dispose of any items (on a one to one basis, eg one new computer for one old computer) Free of Charge.  Again you may bear a cost for transportation to the ‘nominated’ collection centre.

If you are disposing of WEEE – purchased before 13th August 2005 - that is not being replaced by any new purchase you will need to arrange for its lawful disposal.  There will be a charge for this - see below.

What do you need to do?
EEE manufacturers that are compliant with the WEEE Directive will have a form that needs to be completed and returned to them as soon as possible and generally within 30 days of the new equipment having been dispatched by them.

The following are examples of some Hertfordshire County Council ‘preferred’ suppliers / manufacturers that are WEEE compliant. 

RM www.rm.com/weee
RM arrange collection of the WEEE (Base unit/server/other peripherals) as well as the disposal at no charge to the school.  Just complete the forms on their web site.

How do I arrange disposal of the old monitor?
RM do not manufacture all the monitors they sell and hence have no obligation to provide a historic WEEE service for the monitors they replace.  This is because they are acting in the capacity of a Distributor for these monitors and do not hold any obligations for business to business sales under the WEEE Directive.

Should you still wish RM to dispose of any old monitors at the same time as the computers, you can purchase the disposal service at £20 per monitor, including collection and disposal. Correct August 2009.

DELL
The following is taken from the DELL website - August 2009

'Under UK WEEE legislation, from 1st July all new Dell orders invoiced after 13th August 2005, Dell will recycle the historic product on a like for like and one for one basis. In the UK, your entitlement is not limited to Dell branded end of life product. You will find Dell's UK Compliance statement at www.dell.co.uk/asset-recovery

If you have a product which qualifies under WEEE legislation and have already accepted delivery of your new Dell orders, please go to www.dell.co.uk/asset-recovery and click on the WEEE compliance link.  Beneath the WEEE compliance statement for the UK, you will find a link to their WEEE request form.  Please open this, fill in the information required and submit it to the Dell Recycling team.

Once they receive the form with all required information they can then progress your request and authorise their WEEE Partner to contact you with instructions and reference numbers so you can arrange for delivery of the qualifying equipment to the collection hub closest to you.   (If you need a logistics solution, their service provider can also provide you with a quotation for this service).'

Hewlett Packard http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/recycle/

• Hewlett Packard: Product Recycle

HP do not include the transport of the equipment to a ‘nominated’ collection centre.  You will need to either arrange delivery to one of these centres or you can contact HP to collect.  See the HP web site for more information https://h41268.www4.hp.com/live/index.aspx?qid=2537 form to complete for quote, etc

Brother http://www.brother.co.uk/g3.cms/s_page/50870

After purchasing new Brother equipment you should register it at the above web site.

Are all manufacturers WEEE Compliant?

They should be but if they are not then it will be the responsibility of the school to arrange correct disposal of WEEE.  WEEE compliant companies have a registration number.

Before making purchasing decisions you should establish whether the provider (of the new equipment) is WEEE complaint.  If they are not there will be a charge for the disposal of any WEEE so you should include this in any cost comparisons you make when considering new EEE purchases outside the Hertfordshire CC approved procedures (Contract and Financial Regulations).

I need to dispose of more items of WEEE (that were purchased before 13th August 2005) than I am purchasing new, what do I do?

• Hertfordshire Supplies offer a chargeable service. 

For more information contact Martin Rumble, 01707 292366, fax 01707 292337, martin.rumble@hertscc.gov.uk

• RM also offers a chargeable service to dispose of old WEEE. 

Go to the RM site www.rm.com/weee and access the ‘Purchase a collection and disposal service’ to request a quote.

• Many other companies also offer a WEEE disposal service

What about other waste electrical and electronic equipment?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive covers electrical products up to and including 1,000 volts AC and 1,500 volts DC that fall into the following 10 categories:

1. Large household appliances
2. Small household appliances
3. ICT equipment
4. Consumer equipment
5. Lighting equipment
6. Electrical and electronic equipment
7. Toys, leisure and sports equipment
8. Medical devices
9. Monitoring and control equipment
10. Automatic dispensers

If you purchase such items through Hertfordshire Supplies you will be provided with relevant disposal guidance as this becomes available.

If you choose to purchase from other suppliers you need to ensure the provider is WEEE compliant or accept responsibility for the correct disposal of any resultant WEEE.

If we purchase our EEE through SITSS or Hertfordshire Supplies are they responsible for its disposal?

School IT Systems Support and Hertfordshire Supplies are ‘non-household EEE distributors’ and will facilitate the Producer Compliance Scheme as they become available. This means we will make best endeavours to provide you with the relevant information on how the approved providers are meeting the new WEEE directive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are all manufacturers WEEE Compliant?

They should be but if they are not then it will be the responsibility of the school to arrange correct disposal of WEEE. WEEE compliant ccompanies have a registration number.
Before making purchasing decisions you should establish whether the provider (of the new equipment) is WEEE compliant. If they are not there will be a charge for the disposal of any WEEE so you should include this in any cost comparisons you make when considering new EEE purcahses outside the Hertfordshire CC approved procedures (Contract and Financial Regulations).

Q: I need to dispose of a computer that may have held personal or confidential data.  Do I need to do anything to ensure I do not contravene the Data Protection Act?

It is essential that any hard drives which may have held personal or confidential data are 'scrubbed' in a way that means the data can no longer be read. It is not sufficient to simply delete the files or reformat the hard drive. Whoever you appoint to dispose of the equipment must provide a written guarantee that they will irretrievably destroy the data by multiple over writing the data.

Hertfordshire Supplies, RM and DELL all offer this service.

Q: I need to dispose of more items of WEEE (that were purchased before 13th August 2005) than I am purchasing new, what do I do?

• Hertfordshire Supplies offer a chargeable service.

For more information contact Martin Rumble, 01707 292366, fax 01707 292337, martin.rumble@hertscc.gov.uk

• RM also offers a chargeable service to dispose of old WEEE. 

Go to the RM site www.rm.com/weee and access the ‘Purchase a collection and disposal service’ to request a quote.

• There are companies who provide a free disposal service, including the collection, to schools.  However, unless you have a large number of items for disposal it is likely you will have to wait a few weeks for the collection.  Should you choose to use such a company you must assure yourself of their credentials; eg  insurance cover, data erasure methods and company policies (Equal Opportunities/Health & Safety/Environmental etc) would meet the criteria set out in a HCC/CBC tender.
• Many other companies also offer a WEEE disposal service.

Q: What about other waste electrical and electronic equipment?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive covers electrical products up to and including 1,000 volts AC and 1,5000 volts DC that fall into the following 10 catagories.

• Large household appliances
• Small household appliances
• ICT equipment
• Consumer equipment
• Lighting equipment
• Electrical and electronic equipment
• Toys, leisure and sports equipment
• Medical devices
• Monitoring and control equipment
• Automatic dispensers

If you purchase such items through Hertfordshire Supplies you can, upon request, be provided with relevant disposal guidance.

If you choose to purchase from other suppliers you need to ensure the provider is WEEE compliant or accept responsibility for the correct disposal of any resultant WEEE.

Q: If we purchase our EEE through SITSS or Hertfordshire Supplies are they responsible for its disposal?

School IT Systems Support and Hertfordshire Supplies are ‘non-household EEE distributors’ and will facilitate the Producer Compliance Scheme as they become available. This means we will make best endeavours to provide you with the relevant information on how the approved providers are meeting the new WEEE directive.

Q: What does it cost to dispose of computers, etc?

There is a charge of £71.50 per pallet load, with each pallet holding between 14 and 16 ‘units / items’. See the table below to help estimate the cost. This charge is regardless of whether you have a full pallet for collection so it is advisable to accumulate items for disposal or see if there is another school in the area with whom you could split the costs. Plus an additional Environmental Agency administration cost of £32 per collection. Correct August 2009.

Cost per pallet: £71.50
Asset Tracking: £9.75 per pallet (recommended for base units containing seensitive data)
Total cost = £81.25 per pallet (if it includes a computer with sensitive data)

Plus an additional Environmental Agency administration cost of £32 per collection

Q: Do I need to register as a ‘Producer of Hazardous Waste’?

In addition to contracting a registered carrier to dispose of the equipment for you, you may find that your school needs to register with the Environment Agency as a ‘Producer of Hazardous Waste’.  This depends on the weight of computer & electrical equipment you need to dispose of in any 12 month period. 

If you find that you have 500kg or more of equipment to dispose of in a 12 month period you need to register and pay a fee:

• £18.00 if you register via the Internet www.environment-agency.gov.uk, you will need to pay via debit or credit card.

• £23.00 if register via paper form which you can download from the website (follow the instructions as for the online application) Alternatively you can add it to your order to Hertfordshire Supplies and they will register you themselves

• £23 if you register by telephone on 08708 502 858 (you will need to pay via debit or credit card)

This registration is valid for 12 months.  You can decide to register when / if you are likely to exceed the 500kg limit in any 12 month period. 

Will I have to renew this registration on an annual basis?

Not necessarily.  If you are unlikely to exceed the 500kg limit in the 12 month period after your registration expires you do not need to renew it.

Q: How do I work out the cost of disposal and whether I need to register as a ‘Producer of Hazardous Waste’?

You can contact Naj Bheekhee, Hertfordshire Supplies, e-mail: naj.bheekhee@hertscc.gov.uk
Tel: 01707 292308

Alternatively the following table gives a guideline of how many ‘units / items’ different pieces of computer equipment are equivalent to. In addition some of the items include their approximate weight to help you decide whether your school will exceed the 500kg limit in a 12 month period.

Other non-ict electrical equipment can be disposed of in these pallets, simply list all items on the forms available from Hertfordshire Supplies. Large items can be quoted for separately if required.

Glossary

EEE - Electrical and Electronic Equipment
WEEE - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Nominated collection centre - This is the location nominated by the provider of the WEEE where you can take equipment that is for disposal
Designated collection centre - Same as nominated collection centre
Preferred supplier - Companies that have been through a Hertfordshire County Council process for Best Value

Further information available at:

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations

Environment Agency web site

Introduction

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/32084.aspx

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/uksi_20063289_en.pdf

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2007

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/pdf/uksi_20073454_en.pdf?lang=_e

Information Commissioner website

http://www.ico.gov.uk/

Data Protection Act – data protection guide, including the 8 principles

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/data_protection_guide.aspx

School’s Disposal of Redundant ICT Equipment Policy – draft statements

• All redundant ICT equipment will be disposed off through an authorised agency or via the Hertfordshire Supplies  disposal scheme. This should include a written receipt for the item including an acceptance of responsibility for the destruction of any personal data.

• All redundant ICT equipment that may have held personal data will have the storage media over written multiple times to ensure the data is irretrievably destroyed.  Or if the storage media has failed it will be physically destroyed.  We will only use authorised companies who will supply a written guarantee that this will happen.

• Disposal of any ICT equipment will conform to:

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2007
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/32084.aspx
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/uksi_20063289_en.pdf
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/pdf/uksi_20073454_en.pdf?lang=_e

Data Protection Act 1998
http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/data_protection.aspx

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19890635_en_1.htm

• The school will maintain a comprehensive inventory of all its ICT equipment including a record of disposal.
  
• The school’s disposal record will include:
  1. Date item disposed of
  2. Authorisation for disposal, including:

     verification of software licensing

     any personal data likely to be held on the storage media? *

  3. How it was disposed of eg waste, gift, sale
  4. Name of person & / or organisation who received the disposed item
  * if personal data is likely to be held the storage media will be over written multiple times to ensure the data is irretrievably destroyed.

• Any redundant ICT equipment being considered for sale / gift will have been subject to a recent electrical safety check and hold a valid PAT certificate.