A smaller slice of a bigger pie - how the new collection targets could help lamp producers in 2016

The biggest change relates to the collection target for Category 13, Gas Discharge Lamps and LEDs.

This has been driven, in part, by a rapid increase in the amount of WEEE reported in Category 13 in 2015 as the effects of dual use changes set in.

How could this benefit lamp producers in 2016?

The new target means that the total amount of Category 13 WEEE will increase from 2,680 in 2015 to 6,500 tonnes in 2016. This represents is a huge increase but that compares to an even bigger increase in the amount of Category 13 EEE placed on the market by all UK producers. Due to dual use changes, producers have placed 11,663.257 tonnes onto the market in 2015, compared to 2,650.579 tonnes in 2014.

 

Year	Total Cat 13 EEE placed onto      the market in previous year	Total Cat 13 WEEE target	Collection Rate
2015	2,650.579 tonnes	2,680 tonnes	101%
2016	11,663.257 tonnes	6,500 tonnes	56%

 

Now that the market has corrected itself, with both recyclers and producers using the same interpretation, targets should stabilise into the future. However, producers could see an increase in overall costs if they placed significantly more Category 13 products onto the market in 2015, compared to 2014.

More clarity in the GDL market

Robbie Staniforth, commercial manager, commented, “It’s good to see more clarity in the GDL market and we’re happy to see that the target makes more sense for producers. Having a collection rate of over 100% was never ideal. Now that we have an indication of the government’s intentions, we will work with members to cover their obligations and provide feedback to BIS.”

If you’d like to get in touch to discuss how to calculate your obligations or to understand more about the change, please contact your account manager on 0845 094 2228.

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