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BRC fears retailers unaware of new waste electricals rules

21.02.2007 10:30 Shopping - Source: The Retail Bulletin

Some retailers may be in for a shock when new rules on disposal of waste electricals come in to force this summer says the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

As it holds a conference on the topic (Fri 2 March 2007) the BRC is warning 70,000 retailers they have just three weeks (Thurs 15 March)left to join an industry-wide scheme for collection of used electrical equipment. If they do not they face making their own costly arrangements for in-store take back.

The BRC is concerned many retailers, especially small independents and those who are not primarily electrical retailers, do not realise that would mean them taking back electricals they sell, of every size and type or facing prosecution. After collection they would have to pay for transport, not to a local council site, but to a treatment plant which could be a hundred miles away. They are also likely to need waste licensing.

Nigel Smith, British Retail Consortium Environment Policy Director said: “The final regulations were only published in January. Major retailers have been aware for several years that these new obligations were coming and have been actively involved in developing the industry-wide scheme. But the real concern is the hundred thousand or more smaller retailers who may not realise they are affected.

“Every retailer selling electricals faces these obligations, even the local chemist that sells electric toothbrushes or the sub post office selling a computer printer. The Distributor Take-back Scheme is an easy and relatively cheap way out but they don't have much time.”

The industry-wide Distributor Take-back Scheme allows retailers to make a single payment, covering the period until December 2009. The fee is based on the total value of electrical goods a retailer sold last year and will go to enhancing facilities at local waste sites for customers to dispose of used electricals themselves. The payment exempts the retailer from running their own collection scheme and safeguards them against prosecution. Retailers have until 15 March 2007 to sign-up for the scheme. The scheme begins on 1 July 2007 - the day the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive requirements start. Retailers not joining will have to begin in-store take back on that day.

The Retail Bulletin has organised a one-day conference debating how retailers can deliver on their environmental objectives. The conference, in association with Envirowise and sponsored by Sun Microsystems, is free for retailers to attend.

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BRC fears retailers unaware of new waste electricals rules

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