Re-use
What is Re-Use
To re-use is to use an item more than once. This includes conventional re-use where the item is used again for the same function, and new-life reuse (also called ‘repurposing’) where it is used for a new function. In contrast, recycling is the breaking down of the used item into raw materials which are used to make new items. By taking useful products and exchanging them, without reprocessing, reuse helps to save time, money, energy, and resources. In broader economic terms, re-use offers quality products to people and organizations with limited means, while generating jobs and business activity that contributes to the economy.
Why Re-Use?
With the recast of the WEEE regulations, the UK is being given a compulsory target to start with as soon as the regulations become mandatory.
The target will start at 5% of overall UK WEEE data, and is expected to increase to 10% over the coming years
This is a target that is certain to rise as it has in other EU states – so the sooner companies start to have plans in place to adapt to these changing regulations the better!
All companies that handle WEEE, even re-use only, have to be licensed in the UK.
To be permitted to register the evidence stream that is required by PCS members this has to be done through an AATF.
All REEE and UEEE companies must conform to PAS 141:2011 – As we do here at The Electronic Waste Company Ltd
Re-Use has always been one of the main aims of the WEEE regulations 2006/96/EU and with the recast of the regulations it will help to reduce illegal exports and processing of WEEE, UEEE and REEE by companies claiming to be re-use facilities
Myths behind re-use:
“If I have my products re-used, consumers won’t purchase new products – it’ll flood the market with re-used products!”
Case Study – From a Retailer of new IT equipment
TEWC provided a service through our “Special Projects Team” to refurbish 36,000 laptops each month for a client on a promotion.
We were initially asked to re-sell outside of the UK only – in order not to affect sales of their new equipment.
In fact, working with the client we combined our sales efforts and sold the reused equipment in the UK – some through their own retail outlets and some via other UK trading points which allowed the client to show a greater income from a product that consequently could be passed on to reduce purchasing costs, enabling them to be more competitive in the market place on pricing for new equipment.
In factNot only this – but the client noticed some six months later that these laptops were being used as “interim” budget purchases for their customers’ children and they were then requiring more advanced technology for their schooling as they went from one class to the next.
This lead to new product purchases and return of the old laptop for a financial incentive at the same time
In essence…
Recycling – Breaking up of goods and using the materials for new products
Re-Use – more cost effective, better for the environment, can be of significant cash benefit to the producer / reuse partner and helps increase the life span of the products.
