Proposal demands stricter rules on disposal of electronic waste
The European Parliament has proposed stricter rules on the disposal of electronic devices, computers and mobile phones.
Currently, member states are obliged to collect 33% of discarded electronics, but the European Union says this figure should be raised to 85%. It added that electronics producers should be expected to foot the bill for collecting discarded appliances.
According to German Parliamentarian, Karl-Heinz Florenz, there was over 8million tonnes of electronic waste in the EU in 2005, and this is expected to rise to 12.3million tones by 2020. Florenz, who drafted the proposal, added that although the 85% target was challenging, it was realistic.
The proposal requires the approval of the European Council, which is scheduled to debate the issue in March.
