WEEE IT Disposal & Recycling Services

What is WEEE?

WEEE stands for waste electrical and electronic equipment. The recycling of WEEE is a specialist fast growing sub-sector of the waste industry, covering all end-of-life electronic and electrical equipment – from small batteries to fridges. Generally, WEEE is items that require a plug or battery. It is classified as either non-household or household waste.

Nearly 5% of global emissions come from the production of electronic devices. E-waste makes up 70% of our overall global toxic waste yet only 18% of e-waste is recycled. The UK is the 2nd highest contributor of e-waste in the world.

Over the last 15 years, the amount of e-waste in the UK has doubled. By ensuring equipment is re-used, reduced and responsibly recycled, we encourage carbon avoidance and generate carbon savings.

Who does WEEE apply to?

If you manufacture, distribute or sell electrical and electronic equipment such as computers, fridges, mobile phones, EU and national laws require that you contribute to ensuring it is disposed of and treated properly. As a UK business you have a responsibility to recycle your WEEE. Here at ICT Reverse we can help you to stay compliant when it comes to data security and IT recycling.

How to dispose of electronic waste?

At ICT Reverse we are fully certified and recognised by The Environment Agency as an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility. Just contact one of our friendly Account Managers today and we can talk you through the process. Our flexible solutions (bulk one-off collections, regularly scheduled collections or provision of bins and other containers for delivery) make it as easy as possible for you to discard your WEEE.

What are the WEEE Regulations?

Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is regulated to reduce the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) incinerated or sent to landfill sites.

Benefits of choosing ICT Reverse for WEEE recycling and disposal?

Here are a few reasons why it is extremely important that we recycle e-waste responsibly.

• Protects our environment. Responsible computer disposal has a positive impact on our environment. Many electronic devices that we discard contain heavy metals, such as mercury or lead. Both can be harmful to water and land. Properly recycling electronic waste ensures that these metals do not end up in a landfill somewhere, causing detrimental effects to our environment and planet.
• Conserves natural resources. When we throw away electrical equipment, not only are we tossing harmful materials into the ground, but we are also throwing away valuable materials that can be extracted and reused. Recycling e-waste ensures that these valuable materials are reused in the manufacturing of new products. For example, the glass and plastics found in televisions and computer monitors can be recycled and made into brand new products. As a result of this, energy is saved, pollution is reduced and fewer natural resources need to be extracted from our precious planet.
• Reduces our need for landfills. Every time a computer, phone, laptop, fridge, microwave (the list goes on) is thrown out and not disposed of responsibly, it ends up in a landfill or dump. Not only is this harmful to our environment, as mentioned above, but it also means that we are using up more space on our planet to bury our waste. Responsible and correct electronic disposal saves unnecessary landfills.
• Creates more jobs. Something that not many people think of when it comes to the benefits of recycling is the local employment opportunities that are created. Recycling your electronic waste actually creates jobs for professional recyclers.

What exactly does WEEE recycling involve?

Choose ICT Reverse and you’ll have complete peace of mind that your sensitive data is managed and erased safely at every stage of the process.

1. Get in Touch

Call ICT Reverse today on 01524 580900 or email [email protected]. You will be assigned to one of our experienced Account Managers who will be your point of contact from start to finish.

2. Tell us about your equipment

Your Account Manager will request an equipment inventory detailing the approximate specification and quantities of mobiles and IT equipment to be collected.

3. Pre-collection advice

In order to facilitate processing times, please follow our pre-collection advice on preparing your assets prior to them being collected by ICT Reverse.

4. Collection

ICT Reverse will arrange a secure collection of your IT equipment on a date and time convenient to you. At this stage, your order will be allocated a unique reference known as an (AAR).

5. Arrival at our warehouse

Once collected and returned to our approved, authorised, treatment facility (AATF) the data bearing items will be segregated into non-hazardous and hazardous WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment).

6. Audit

Every item will be logged against the unique AAR number in order to provide you with a full asset management report for your redundant equipment. At this point a barcode label is produced with a unique reference number to that asset within the AAR number. This is displayed as a barcode on the asset and is scanned at each stage of the process which updates our system of its status and location.

7. Testing

All units will be cleaned, followed by the removal of any customer identification markings that could trace the equipment back to you. A visual safety and cosmetic check of the unit is carried out to check for any damage that would constitute a safety concern. A full functionality diagnosis of the asset is then performed by our trained technicians. The result of these initial tests will decide if the unit can continue with the standard process or if it should be redirected to recycling or destruction.

8. Processing

The technical process will then vary depending on the product type and customer requirements. In most cases, a data erasure process is performed to all data bearing assets using Blancco or Phonecheck software. Any items that fail the data erasure process are removed and destroyed using the crusher or shredder.

9. Certification

Following the process, you will receive a full Due Diligence Pack including all the necessary certification to demonstrate that you comply with the latest legislation in the event of an Environmental Audit. This includes a Duty of Care Waste Transfer Certificate, Asset Audit Report, Recovery Certificate, Blancco Report (if applicable) & Data Destruction Certificate (if applicable).

10. Portal Access

As part of our continued service to you we will provide you with access to the ICT Reverse portal where you can access all your relevant documents, certificates and reports at any time. The simple, secure portal, accessed from any internet browser, will store all reports relating to each individual order and provide you with a direct communication link to your dedicated account manager.

Awards and Accreditations

Providing secure reverse logistics and data erasure services requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted suite of certifications and approvals.

We constantly strive to stay ahead of the requirements to operate in this sector and to be at the forefront of the latest legislation to give clients guarantee and peace of mind. Click here for a full list of our accreditations.

See what our customers say about our WEEE Recycling and Disposal services:

With over 20 years experience in reverse logistics and information assurance, we are able to offer IT asset management and complete compliance to our clients with the guarantee of quality, data and environmental excellence at every stage of the process. But don’t take our word for it, see what our customers have to say…