A study undertaken in the UK, France, Germany and Spain by computer supplier Dell, has found that the UK is still behind other western European countries in the battle to recycle waste electronic and electrical equipment.

The survey indicates that this is partly due to individuals failing to correctly dispose of their unwanted electronic and electrical goods. From a sample of 1,000 respondents in the UK, Dell found that many individuals are unaware of the facilities and measures put in place by the Government and industry to deal with waste electrical hardware in order to comply with the obligations placed on them by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

Although individuals may feel that they are doing everything they can to recycle, the free take-back schemes in operation do not see a high adoption rate. Indeed, the European Commission has estimated that only about a third of electrical and electronic waste is treated in line with the WEEE Directive across the EU.

Commenting on the findings, Tony Juniper, former Friends of the Earth director and independent sustainability advisor, said: "It's now just a case of electronic manufacturers and governments in every country making the disposal of old electrical equipment as accessible and as commonplace as recycling old paper, plastics and glass."

The WEEE Directive came into force in January 2007.

B P Collins acts for clients involved in all aspects of waste management and recycling. We also advise on environmental permitting and compliance issues. We have a long and established involvement in the renewable energy sector.