ACB

WEEE Processors

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) controls the way old electrical equipment is disposed of, reducing waste and promoting recycling.

It is designed to:

• Tighten up the treatment of waste, removing hazardous materials.
• Drive recycling versus waste.
• Make producers accountable for financing the safe disposal of old electrical and electronic equipment.

The WEEE directive is legally binding and sets strict criteria for WEEE items:

• Collection.
• Treatment.
• Re-use and Recycling.

Smoke detectors are radioactive and must be pre-treated, with the radioactive element removed BEFORE they are disposed of via a WEEE route:

• Avoids contamination of waste sites.
• Prevents radioactive materials entering recycled metals.
• Safe disposal is achievable only when radioactives are removed.
• Only once the radioactive element is removed may a WEEE disposal route be used.

Legislation clearly states the radioactive element in smoke detectors MUST be removed before treatment.