WEEE re-use and recycling

WEEE recycling in Cumbria

CRL collects white goods and other electrical items including IT and display equipment from 14 different waste recycling centres across the whole of Cumbria and from local businesses and schools.

We then sort them into 3 categories:

White goods – washing machines, dryers and cookers
IT equipment – computers, laptops, tablets and base units
Display equipment – televisions, monitors and screens

Regulated WEEE re-use and recycling company

The whole process of recycling and re-use is highly regulated. CRL is the only Environment Agency Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF) in Cumbria. The company is ISO 14001 certified, Cyber Essentials Certified, an accredited Cyber Essentials Implementer,

Microsoft Registered and a MCITP. Our staff have achieved qualifications under the WAMITAB operator’s competence scheme and follow recognised processes and protocols in the preparation and reuse of electrical equipment.

Proper testing of recycled white goods

Our skilled staff have large testing areas at our warehouse where they diagnose exactly what is wrong with each item. For example washing machines will undergo up to 54 tests to ensure robust functionality before being cleaned and sent to the showroom.

You are equally responsible for WEEE re-use and recycling. Know your responsibilities. You can also contact us to find out more about our services.

FAQs

Why Prevent Electronics from Entering a Landfill?

Some electronic device components contain constituents that, if improperly handled, could be harmful to the environment and its inhabitants. E-waste that is not recycled ends up in the environment. Water is poisoned, air turns toxic, soil becomes dead, and wildlife and plant life suffer.

Certain components of electronics contain measurable amounts of regulated heavy metals, including lead, silver, barium, cadmium and mercury. Many of these metals can be recovered and responsibly disposed of, based upon EPA standards.

Is WEEE classed as hazardous waste?

Hazardous waste refers to anything that’s considered harmful to humans or the environment. Not all WEEE waste is hazardous—it’s only classed as hazardous if it contains certain chemicals or metals.

For example, fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lightbulbs are classed as hazardous waste as they contain mercury, whereas LED tubes and bulbs aren’t because they don’t contain any hazardous chemicals.

However, the majority of electronic and electrical devices, including laptops, computers, monitors and photocopiers, contain some form of hazardous material.

There’s a full list of what WEEE is classed as hazardous waste here.

Is the WEEE directive a law?

Yes, since January 2014 the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013 have been law in the UK. This means any company producing or distributing electronic or electrical waste needs to comply with the WEEE regulations and ensure the waste is disposed of correctly.

The onus to handle and dispose of the waste correctly is placed on the waste producers and distributors. This is why many retailers offer a free in-store ‘take-back’ scheme so customers can return their electronic or electrical devices back to the shop they bought it from, or agree to take away old electrical or electronic items when delivering or fitting new ones.

If a producer or distributor doesn’t comply with WEEE Regulations then they could face criminal prosecution.

What items will you collect?

We have a dedicated section on our website ‘What we recycle’. However this is a common question. We take all forms of Electronic items this can range from cookers, hair dryers to PC’s, Laptops and servers. Were very proud of our NO CHERRY PICKING policy and that often gives us the edge over most of our competition.

We take all forms of electronics.
We don’t cherry pick items – Some companies will only take certain items, often leaving you with equipment that will cost you to dispose of.
We have no minimum quantities for collection