West Sussex switched on to cutting down electronic waste

West Sussex residents are switched on when it comes to reducing the amount of WEEE – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment – going to landfill.

In 2009, they recycled an average of 11.22kg (about 24lbs) of WEEE per person at West Sussex County Council’s network of Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS). This is almost twice as much as the national average and a further increase compared with the previous year.

Despite the economic downturn, the amount of small mixed WEEE diverted from landfill to the HWRS network, which is operated on behalf of the County Council by Viridor, went up by 11.6 per cent (277 tonnes) to more than 2661 tonnes.

Overall, 8457 tonnes of WEEE were collected at the HWRS network.

Derek Whittington, County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “Our network of HWRS provides easily accessible and dedicated containers for all unwanted electrical goods, identified with colourful pink signs.

“Combine this with the continuing commitment shown by West Sussex residents to reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill means we are UK pacesetters when it comes to outstanding WEEE recycling.

“I am sure we will build on this significant success throughout 2010.”