'Local tips not suitable for electronic waste' says Euro MP

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th May 2001

Diana Wallis who chaired the Wastewise company for a year and is now the Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, welcomed the agreement between the European Parliament and the Commission on the disposal of electrical goods.

Diana Wallis said, 'Six million tons of waste electrical and electronic equipment was generated in 1998 and this figure is expected to grow by 3%-5% a year. As well as filling waste disposal sites they contain all sorts of dangerous substances so disposing of it alongside municipal waste poses clear environmental hazards.'

She added, 'Companies should be encouraged to develop products with recycling in mind and here I am thinking of computers especially. At the same time the responsibility for handling waste should shift from local authorities via a local tip to manufacturers. I know from my own experience at Wastewise that a large proportion of all municipal waste is electronic or electrical and this waste strategy emanating from the EU is to be welcomed although it might have been tougher.'

The main proposals are that producers of computers, radios, washing machines and other appliances should be obliged to remove and recycle their products for free. Also there will be a ban of dangerous substances such as lead, mercury and so on from electric equipment.