EucoLight congratulates EU publication of Circular Economy Package and inclusion of minimum requirements for Extended Producer Responsibility
On 14 June 2018, the Official Journal of the European Union published the EU Waste legislative package. This revises the Waste Framework Directive, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and other directives.
EucoLight, the European Association of lighting WEEE Compliance schemes warmly welcomes the EU publication of the Package. EucoLight wholeheartedly supports the inclusion of minimum requirements for Extended Produced Responsibility (EPR), which it has been advocating throughout all the legislative process. EucoLight considers that robust EPR requirements are vital for a successful transition to the Circular Economy. Making them legally binding guarantees the best functioning of EPR schemes.
The commitment to improving transparency on financial matters and governance and operation of EPR organisations is important, along with the recognition of EPR as a ‘shared responsibility’ for all actors involved, including distributors and waste producers. Marc Giraud, EucoLight Secretary General commented “EucoLight’s 19 members consider that these measures constitute an important step forward in establishing a fair and level playing field amongst EPR schemes.”
Nigel Harvey, EucoLight Vice President and CEO of Recolight added: “The inclusion of plans for an enforcement framework to ensure online marketplaces comply with their EPR obligations is particularly significant, given the growth in non-compliance through some online retailers. Whether or not the UK chooses to implement the Circular Economy Package post Brexit, this is one change that would be very beneficial to adopt. “
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About Recolight
Recolight is the leading UK WEEE compliance scheme for the lighting industry, taking on responsibility for its members’ WEEE compliance, giving their customers access to the UK’s most comprehensive free lamp collection and recycling service, and helping to ensure that as many lamps as possible are kept out of landfill.
Recolight’s comprehensive offering makes it the preferred WEEE scheme for the lighting industry, setting the standard for the sector. It is the only WEEE compliance scheme in the UK to provide integrated Lamp and Luminaire collection and recycling. It has the biggest UK-wide network of over 3000 collection points. As a result, since its founding in 2007, Recolight has funded the recycling of over 300 million lamps, LEDs and luminaires, more than all other UK WEEE schemes put together.
In 2012, Recolight won “Recycling and Waste Management Business of the Year” at the National Recycling Awards and Nigel Harvey, Recolight’s CEO, was recognised as LUX Person of the Year.
About EucoLight
EucoLight is The European association of collection and recycling organisations for WEEE lamps and lighting. On behalf of its 19 members, EucoLight engages with everything related to the WEEE Directive, legislations and standards affecting the collection and recycling of WEEE lighting. EucoLight members collect and recycle, in aggregate, 79 % of the lamps waste collected in the 18 countries in which they operate.
EucoLight is the voice of European WEEE compliance schemes specialised in managing the collection and recycling of WEEE lighting; working to make the circular economy a reality for lighting products.
Founded mid-2015, EucoLight has quickly embarked into constructive dialogue with relevant stakeholders to provide expertise in the field of management and treatment of WEEE lighting and to promote the positive role of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes on the environment and society.
