Call for a WEEE bit of recycling this Christmas
A campaign is being launched today, Boxing Day, which shows the benefits of recycling and helps the public find their nearest recycling point…
A campaign is being launched today, Boxing Day, which shows the benefits of recycling and helps the public find their nearest recycling point. The Government is backing the industry led campaign and calling on people to recycle their old electronic goods.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said:
“At this time of year more than ever, old unwanted electronics often get consigned to the bin or the back of a cupboard. That’s why now is the right time for a campaign, which reminds people about recycling their old electrical and electronic equipment and shows them how easy it can be.
“Whether it’s an old MP3 player, an unwanted set of hair straighteners or even a broken novelty Christmas decoration, rather than just leaving them in the cupboard or throwing them out, it’s much better for everyone if you recycle them. That’s why the Government is backing this industry led campaign.
“Recycling is not only good for the environment, it’s safer too as harmful chemicals aren’t sent to landfill. It also creates an opportunity for our businesses to take advantage and create jobs and growth that are both sustainable and environmentally friendly.”
Recycling Minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach said:
“The old electricals we think are just destined for the scrap heap are packed with precious materials and rare metals that are worth a fortune if they are recycled properly. The amount of palladium we expect to be chucked out over the next few years from old computers, tvs and electrical alone could be worth more than £1billion. These are resources that won’t last forever and we simply cannot afford to waste them.
“I challenge everyone to make a new year’s resolution to do the right thing with their old electricals and stop these precious materials going to landfill.”
The campaign centres around an advert shows how waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) diverted from landfill is sent for recycling and eventually contribute to new products. It is hoped that this WEEE recycling campaign will help prevent householders from throwing small electrical items, such as kettles, hair dryers and other smaller products, into their waste bins and help to ensure that more waste electronic items are recycled in the future.
The advert will be aired nationwide, for a period of four weeks, from 26th December 2011 and advises the public to use WRAP’s Recycle Now site to find their nearest recycling centre.
Notes to editors
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For more information on the campaign please contact Justin Greenaway at: justingreenaway@sweeep.co.uk or call 01795 434 125
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More information on recycling electronic equipment is available at www.recyclenow.com and www.recycle-more.co.uk
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The campaign launches on Monday 26 December and is run by Weee connect, a Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) industry partnership.
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A 30-second WEEE recycling advert has been jointly funded by reprocessors and WEEE producer compliance schemes. Non-financial support came from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which includes its ‘Recycle Now’ branding being used on the film. There is no Government funding in the campaign. You can watch the advert here: http://www.weeeconnect.co.uk/index.php
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Notes to Editors
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