The cost of electrical and electronic equipment has risen by circa 2.19 per cent since the implementation of the EU’s Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, as reported in the Journal of Industrial Ecology following an e-products prices study across 27 EU countries. As from September 1, 2015, Malta will be introducing strict rules on WEEE implementation as well as hefty fines on sellers of WEEE products who do not take up recycling.

Calculated at €750 per tonne, which is equivalent to 15 washing machines, fines are seen as a good deterrent for companies to take action. But which action?

Companies would need to collect appliances sold years before and recycle them. Some say that recycling large appliances would cost more than €400 per tonne, translating into a cost of €26.60 per appliance when recycling one tonne of washing machines.

With the cost of a new washing machine anywhere around €350, the WEEE directive introduces an added charge of 7.6 per cent, apart from a bank guarantee for another € 210 per tonne.

While two thirds (65 per cent) of global consumers say they are willing to pay more for electronic products responsibly produced, it is not clear whether Maltese consumers are willing to pay higher prices to ensure proper disposal of EEE products.

Regarding online buying, not only will local businesses suffer if customers move to buying online from foreign-based mega stores, the environment will face difficulties too. It is not clear how foreign-based online shops will be recycling electronic waste dumped in Malta. If they don’t, the Maltese taxpayer has to foot the bill. What seems certain is that the prices of electrical and electronic products are set to increase.

Meanwhile, consumers and businesses need to understand the cost implications of recycling WEEE because this could have very serious implications.

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