New legislation drafted by Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans will make sure that electronic waste is safer and easier to recycle. The RoHS Directive (1) sets the rules on which hazardous substances are allowed in every-day items such as mobile phones and laptops.

Jill Evans said,

"The total amount of waste in Wales continues to fall, and I congratulate the Welsh government and local authorities for their role in this. But the equivalent of 71kg per person of household waste is still produced per quarter, so we still have a long way to go to achieve our ambition of becoming a zero waste nation. I hope the legislation adopted today contributes to this success, because it will enable more equipment to be recycled.

"Thousands of old TV's, monitors, laptops and mobile phones are thrown away every month. Rhondda company Waste Technique processes around 28,000 every month and refurbishes about 4,000 computers alone. It reduces the amount of waste going to landfill or for incineration but also creates good, sustainable jobs.

"While the substances in themselves are not dangerous to consumers, they become dangerous when disposed of incorrectly. This is especially a problem when the waste is exported to countries outside the EU, and then openly burned. Information obtained by Plaid Cymru in the past show that a number of councils in Wales are sending their waste to developing countries, such as China and India. Burning electronic equipment at too low a temperature can result in serious health problems.

The new rules have set a clear structure for deciding how and when a substitute should be banned and have highlighted some possible chemicals for a review.

Jill Evans added,

"I would have liked to see the law go even further and impose an outright ban on more chemicals, but I am confident that an effective law is now in place. This is a signal to the electrical and electronics industry that they must develop alternatives to hazardous substances."

Ends.

Notes

The legislation was adopted by the European Parliament today following a negotiated deal with the European Council of Ministers.

(1) Recast of the directive on restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.

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