IT managers ignorant of EC PC recycling laws as deadline looms
18.10.2004 - CCL NEWS

With less than 10 months to go before PC recycling legislation comes into force, many businesses are still unaware of their responsibilities regarding the disposal of old PCs.

A poll of IT managers found that many have not heard about the legislation and those who have are ignorant of how it could affect them.

Only 50% of the IT managers polled by Datamonitor were aware of how the new legislation will affect their responsibilities to recycle IT hardware. This included the EC's Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive, which is due to come into force in August 2005.

About 75% of IT managers believe it costs less than £50 to dispose of a PC, and 50% said £25. Analyst firm Gartner calculated that the cost of disposal varies between £50 and £80 per PC.

Of those polled, 45% outsource the disposal of their end-of-life IT assets to a specialist company, with 54% of large corporations and 63% of mid-sized firms doing the same. Thirty-three per cent give at least a portion of their equipment to charity, despite data security risks.

The WEEE Directive will require companies to demonstrate asset tracking for all electronic equipment and compliance with the directive or face fines, said Plunkett. "The penalties will need to be stiff to make people take notice. We have been talking to companies about WEEE since 1999 and I am amazed that so many are not aware of it."

Datamonitor polled 150 firms from across the UK during July and August 2004. Of the sample, 45% had 500 to 5,000 PCs.

WEEE Directive

The Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive comes into force in August 2005. It promotes reuse and recycling of IT equipment, although member states set compliance details.

Firms that cannot demonstrate compliance are likely to face financial penalties.