EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Technical Assistance Rohs WEEE

We've been operating under WEEE over here for a while now. Expect prices to rise to cover recycling costs, especially domestic products.
Medical equipment wise, you would be wise to ensure that all tenders etc include correct disposal of old equipment by supplier of new equipment. Strictly speaking the manufacturer/supplier of the equipment being replaced is responsible for the correct disposal of such equipment, but if they are not the supplier of the new equipment they could well drag their heels on the issue, which might not be a problem for some but we don't have a lot of storage space for Linacs! Also companies go out of business so you could be left holding the baby, so to speak, if you haven't stipulated disposal of old by supplier of new.
Just my experience.

It seems that the WEEE laws take effect from today (at long last). So, what are the implications for us? How to get rid of piles of junk equipment like the heap shown in the link? (I think I know where that is!) What about all those batteries? (some places I know just seem to "collect" [read:- hide] them in back rooms, for "disposal" later) Won't this just lead to more fly-tipping? (I certainly hope not)

Meanwhile, in response to leonius, yes, I would have thought that an RoHS tick-box on PPQ's would be a good idea. Why not? (but, what about non-EU products?)

But, rejoice as the "smoking ban" finally comes into force in England ! (why did we have to wait so long?)

Info received from a well know auction house -

Many of you use us on a regular basis to collect and sell your redundant hospital equipment.

From July 1st the WEEE Directive comes into force, we at **** have engaged with the DTI consultation process and made several constructive criticisms of the Directive. I could bore you for a couple of hours on the definition of waste but the important point to remember about WEEE IS THAT IF IT HAS A USE IT IS NOT WEEE.

In other words it's business as usual if you are selling your redundant equipment through us. WEEE only covers items that are damaged beyond repair and cannot be used.

However **** CAN take your WEEE, but this is handled separately - a breakdown of recycling charges is attached. If you would like us to collect your WEEE, we can provide you with folding cages. All you will be required to do is place the different types of WEEE in the appropriate cages. The categories are: Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT's) which includes monitors and computer screens, batteries, IT equipment, general & electrical, medical equipment and fridges. For your records, you will need to list the equipment on a hazardous waste disposal form, which we can supply. We can collect all types of WEEE thus negating the need for expensive waste contracts.

The benefits of using **** are many; we already collect saleable equipment from you so you will carry on receiving the benefit of the income from the sale of reusable equipment.

Our vehicle will collect both WEEE and saleable items at the same time, thus keeping costs down to you; in fact the charges will probably be more than compensated for by the sale of equipment.

You will benefit from our experience and reputation, in addition we will be using the SIMS Group to handle the recycling, this is one of the largest recyclers in the world, with incredibly high standards of practice.

Our recycling charges will be considerably less than the manufacturers recycling charges imposed on the purchase price - and most equipment will not require recycling.

OPTING OUT before you sign up to manufacturers recycling charges when you buy new equipment, contact us - as we can tell you what your equipment will be worth in 5, 7 or 10 years. This will save you thousands of pounds a year - just on the recycling surcharge - let alone what you will make when you sell the items.

The WEEE Directive could be a great piece of legislation helping to reduce landfill or it could just be a method for manufacturers and recyclers to make pots of money at your expense! It's up to you.

Collection Charges
You are currently paying £450 for a full 7.5 tonne vehicle collection of items for auction. Provided that the load contains a mixture of saleable and recyclable items the collection charge will remain the same. The only difference being that previously you may have been able to share the truck with another collection and incurred a part load charge. If the vehicle is just collecting recyclable waste the charge will be £500 per load.

We will provide euro pallet size cages with 1.20 metre sides. The cost of processing a full cage of electrical items will be £50 and a cage can take up to 1/2 tonne of mixed electrical waste.

Monitors will be charged at £7 each - they should be kept separate from computer base stations, or removed from medical equipment. Batteries will also need to be removed from medical equipment and collected separately; these will be charged at £1.00 per kilo.

Refrigerated equipment charges vary according to the size of the unit.

There will be an administrative charge of £25 per collection, and records of consignment notes will be kept at our office for inspection if required.

Please note the recycling market is very fluid at the moment and prices may be subject to change.

Cheers
Mark

Thanks for that, Mark. Interesting. So the "well-known auction house" wins again, then, eh? I reckon I would be better off working for **** ********!

Geoff,

Where there's ***t, there's money.

Cheers
Mark

Gents,

The disposal sales agency are the officila government body through which you can safely dispose of all medical and non medical equipment. They would sell those items via numerous vetted contractors with proceeds returning directly to the trust. Furthermore, they DSA would subsequently be directly responsible for any future liabilities linked to that equipment.

It is the safest method and removes any risk from the trust plus the added benifit of funds finding their way directly back to the trust. One of their roles is states "To secure the best overall return to the taxpayer from the sale of publicly owned major equipment and stockholding".

The current DSA contractor for medical equipment are field textiles on 0044 (0) 1268-729233. Also visit www.edisposals.com You will notice that they began life as the MoD's disposals agency so if you want a cheap landrover or battle ship this is the place to go.