EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTIVES AFFECTING THE DISPOSAL OF ULTRA LOW TEMPERATURE FREEZERS – AN OVERVIEW
The Problem
Most of us recognise that electrical and electronic equipment are becoming obsolete with increasing speed. But how to tackle this stream of waste, some of which, such as mercury, lead, cadmium and ozone depleting gases, could be hazardous to people or the environment?
European Community members are running out of landfill sites in which to bury all the discarded equipment we generate. There is talk of raising tax on landfill to make it less attractive as an option. This tax will almost certainly continue to increase with time.
THE WEEE DIRECTIVE
Ultra Low Temperature Freezers – and freezers and fridges in general – are now covered by a new directive called WEEE – Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
The Directive became law on 12 August 2004.
It encompasses all equipment dependent on electrical currents or electromagnetic fields.
| Power Tools | |
| Large Household Appliances | Small Household Appliances |
| IT & Telecom Equipment | Monitoring & Control Equipment |
| Toy & Leisure Equipment | Automatic Vending Equipment |
| Consumer Equipment | Medical equipment |
Lighting
The waste stream of electrical and electronic equipment has been identified as one of the fastest growing waste streams in the European Community – three times as fast as the average growth of municipal waste.
The purpose of the Directive is to provide incentives for manufacturers to design electrical and electronic equipment in an environmentally efficient way so that it can be easily separated into its component parts. These can then be channelled to appropriate treatment facilities where the majority of the product can be recycled. The main objectives of the WEEE Directive can then be fulfilled:
- Reduction in wasteful consumption of natural resources by encouraging re-use
- Prevention of pollution
Who will pay?
The question of who will take financial responsibility for the WEEE has not yet been finally resolved.
The manner in which the Directive is worded relating to Business-to-Business equipment, (the category covering Ultra Low Temperature Freezers) implies that producers of commercial equipment could be liable for the costs of collecting and recycling all the equipment that they have ever sold! The wording is expected to be altered, however, to require the producer to take back on a “like for like” basis, i.e. the producer will collect the old freezer when delivering the new model.
On one point, we can be certain:
THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE PICKING UP THE BILL
FOR COMMERCIAL FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR DISPOSAL!
It seems likely that the cost will be passed on to the customer eventually, even if it is incorporated in the initial price of the product. Discussions are still under way as to how the waste treatment facility might recover the charge for disposal.
What will happen when a Freezer reaches the end of its useful life?
The WEEE Directive demands that all Waste and Electronic Equipment from Business-to-Business trade (which includes fridges, freezers and Ultra Low Temperature Freezers used for sample storage) will:
- be recycled by licensed operators according to rigorous standards using state of the art technology;
- be stored in adequate storage facilities (i.e. weatherproof and with impermeable floor) prior to removal of substances and components;
- have separate removal of all fluids and certain substances (lead, mercury) and components that contain them;
- require an audit trail from waste producer to waste treatment facility to ensure duty of care;
- have all costs from Business-to-Business WEEE handled by the producer to include collecting the redundant item when a new machine is supplied and arranging for it to be recycled at an approved and licensed facility.
Local Scrapyard?
Be wary of taking the freezer to your local scrapyard or asking them to collect from you. It will not be permissible unless the scrap dealer is able to have the foam insulation panels properly recycled at a licensed waste facility.
Duty of Care and Liability to Prosecution
The owner of the waste freezer is considered to have a Duty of Care over the equipment that does not cease once it has been removed from the property. Legally, the owner will be liable if it ends up anywhere other than at a properly licensed recycler. Should the authorities become aware of this it could result in a substantial fine or even criminal prosecution of the officers of the company.
Certification
Any person responsible for the disposal of WEEE should obtain a Certificate of Recycling proving that the equipment has been properly recycled.
In addition, ensure that carriers removing waste goods have a Waste Carriers Licence.
And another thing....
In addition to the WEEE legislation there is additional legislation affecting refrigeration unit disposal. European Council Regulation No 2037/2000 on Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) came into effect on 1 October 2000.
It requires the removal of controlled ozone depleting substances from the refrigeration system before the appliances are discarded. The owner of the end-of-life freezer must take all reasonable steps to keep the ODS in the freezer from entering the atmosphere, and furthermore ensure that whoever collects the waste is authorised to store, transport, recycle and dispose of it safely.
These substances include:
- Urethane Insulating Foam (it is the blowing agent in urethane foam which is the main ODS)
- Refrigerant Gases in the cooling system
New Brunswick Scientific Ultra Low Temperature Freezers have been designed with recyclability in mind. At this time between 95% and 98% of the freezer by weight can be recycled.
New Brunswick Scientific has invested a great deal in ensuring that the freezers built by the company are exceptionally energy efficient. Before you buy an Ultra Low Temperature Freezer, find out how much energy it uses and calculate the costs over, say, 3, 5 and 10 years. You may find significant differences between manufacturers in the real cost of owning and running a freezer when making your comparisons. Check out the price and cost of fitting for replacement parts such as fan motors and compressors after the end of the warranty period.
