European Recycling Platform meets milestone

The European Recycling Platform (ERP) has announced that it has started 2014 with a milestone by recycling more than 2 million metric tons of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) since it began operating in Europe.

“We are delighted with our 2 million metric ton collection landmark,” says Umberto Raiteri, CEO of ERP. “The life span of electrical goods has decreased dramatically. As newer and better products are continually launched onto the market, consumers upgrade and discard obsolete models. Staying ahead of the continuous production of WEEE is a true challenge. ERP is the only true pan-European compliance scheme, perfectly positioned to assist communities to recycle WEEE and industry to meet the increase in compliance targets across Europe in line with environmental regulations." 

ERP recycling and take-back services have accomplished the following:

• Saved 9 billion kilowatts (kWh) of primary energy;
• Collected 2 million metric tons of WEEE;
• Recovered 16 metric tons of gold, 130 metric tons of silver and 60,000 metric tons of copper, which are used to manufacture new electrical appliances; and
• Collected for recycling around 26 million television sets, 45 million small domestic appliances, 11.5 million large domestic appliances and 8 million cold electrical appliances.

The ERP notes that achieving the milestone coincides with the upcoming transposition of the WEEE Directive Recast, due in February 2014, which requires all member states to implement the WEEE Directive Recast. At the moment, only few member states have published the related local new legislation, while the majority of states are still evaluating how and when the new compliance requirements and targets will be implemented.