Home : Desktop Software : News

UK worst tech recyclers

Britons have ranked the worst in Europe when it comes to recycling their old gadgets.

By Nicole Kobie, 26 May 2009 at 11:29

Just half of Britons bother to recycle electronics – making us the worst in Europe, according to a new survey.

All those shiny new gadgets we feel compelled to buy are putting pressure on the environment, and the UK is the most remiss at dealing with it, the research from Dell has shown. Germany ranked top for green IT recycling.

Across the UK, Londoners and the Scottish were the greenest techies, while those in the North East are the least likely to recycle their gadgets. Just one per cent have ever bothered, despite being very willing to recycle other products, like paper and glass.

The Dell research suggested this was partially because people weren’t aware of laws that govern tech recycling. Indeed, since its launch two years ago, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive has been a source of confusion to consumers and businesses.

WEEE means many manufacturers and retailers must take back products for recycling – something Dell said consumers should take into mind when eyeing up which new PC to buy. It also means local councils are required to offer some sort of tech recycling scheme.

Jean Cox-Kearns, recycling and takeback manager for Dell in Europe, said in a statement that the research suggested “that electronic manufacturers such as Dell need to adopt a more targeted approach in communicating the free technology recycling initiatives available and why it’s so important to get involved.”

Click here for our top 10 tips for green IT.

Email to a friend

Print this page

< Previous Desktop Software : News Next >

1 comments

You need to Login or Register to comment.

Existing green policies such as the WEEE directive and measuring carbon footprints assume a level of asset management far beyond that achieved by the majority of UK business.

Increasing pressure for green credentials will create a significant unless organisations get their asset registers in order. Assessment of environmental practices and reporting is certainly on the increase for business and generic statements about green strategies – from procurement to recycling, carbon footprint to flexible working – will not suffice in the long term: organisations will have to prove their commitment through information transparency and auditable policies. At the heart of such transparency will be consistent, detailed information about the life cycle of every asset - from country of origin through maintenance schedules to final disposal. Existing green policies such as the WEEE directive and measuring carbon footprints assume a level of asset management far beyond that achieved by the majority of UK business. How many UK businesses can accurately identify the location of their WEEE equipment within the organisation and confirm when it was purchased and from whom? By linking the asset register to a document management system organisations can create the required audit trail, gaining valuable insight into their own assets and adapting to the ‘green economy’. Yours faithfully, Karen Conneely Group Commercial Manager Real Asset Management www.realassetmgt.co.uk

By Ip_olivean9b2a7c on Tuesday May 26

Latest Desktop Software Analysis & Insight

2011: The year in news

We take a look back at a year which saw corporate carnage, industry in-fighting and the passing of an industry legend.

More Desktop Software Analysis & Insight

Latest Desktop Software Reviews

Ubuntu vs. Windows 7 on the business desktop

Microsoft Windows may be the de facto standard desktop operating system in business environments, but high costs, restrictive licences and constant security issues are leading an increasing number of companies to consider open source alternatives — as Kat Orphanides explains.