Brussels, 19/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - Two years of hard work have paid off. On 19 January 2012, the European Parliament endorsed the electrical and electronic waste collection and recycling targets that have been the subject of much bitter negotiation with the Council of Ministers. By a show of hands (630 to 11 with 4 abstentions), the EP paved the way for a rehash of EU Directive 2002/96, known as WEEE, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment legislation), a symbol of better use of resources and revolutionary new rules for consumers because it will allow them to return small gadgets and other equipment to retailers for proper disposal without having to buy a product in exchange. The Council of Ministers is now expected to formally adopt the new rules.
EP rapporteur Karl Heinz-Florenz (EPP, Germany) said that, after such tough negotiations, he was “very satisfied that we have agreed ambitious and achievable collection rates with Council. Europe will now recover more raw materials, which is excellent news for both the economy and for the environment”. The annual recycling target per inhabitant is 4kg. By 2016, 45% of the electrical and electronic equipment sold three years before will have to be recycled, rising to 85% in 2019, with flexibility for some of the newer member states. To prevent illegal dumping of waste abroad, exporters will have to have a certificate stating that the equipment is in working order. (AN/transl.fl)