Green plan for white goods

CONSUMERS will be able to present old electrical equipment to suppliers for recycling from next year in a scheme which could cost industry up to €10m a year and result in product price increases.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) makes business responsible for all the electrical and electronic equipment it places on the market, from design to final disposal. It comes into force from 2004, according to IBEC environment unit chief Donal Buckley.

“Complying with this directive will have major financial and logistical implications for all manufacturers, distributors and retailers of electrical and electronic equipment in Ireland,” Mr Buckley told delegates at a IBEC/ICT Ireland conference on the implementation of the directive held in Dublin.