Waste directive ‘will cost €40m a year’

A NEW EU directive that kicks in today will add €40 million to the cost of dealing with waste each year, according to waste management specialist Greenstar.

The company said the new Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regime will force suppliers of equipment of this nature to dispose of unwanted electrical products on behalf of customers, free of charge.

Among the provisions of the directive is the introduction of special charges on the sale of new equipment, which could add up to €40 to the cost of high-value electrical items such as refrigerators.