Electrical and electronic goods are amongst the world's fastest growing areas of production fuelled by huge consumer demand and resulting in a growing mountain of waste as old, broken or obsolete electrical goods are thrown away.
The European Commission has been tackling these issues and in 2002 published the EU Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Directive.
All manufacturers, distributors and retailers of EEE products sold within the EU have to pay for the take-back, treatment and recycling of redundant equipment.
Improve the reuse / recycling of WEEE.
Ensure the separate collection of WEEE.
Inform the public of their role in disposing of WEEE.
Amongst the obvious WEEE such as televisions, PC's and washing machines are also toys and model railway products.
For our obligation as a retailer Bridgwater Model Railways. has decided not to join the DTS scheme which would mean you having to take your WEEE to your nearest Designated Collection Facility (DCF) - the municipal tip in the bad old days. Instead we offer free "Like-For-Like" In Store Take Back for all redundant electrical & electronic model railways. We will then take responsibility for the safe recycling of this material. We believe that our customers will find this approach more convenient than visiting their local DCF.
The In Store Take Back scheme works very simply on a like for like basis. When you are buying, say, a new Controller you can at the same time, if you wish, hand over your old, redundant Controller as WEEE for us to deal with. The age, make and model of Controller you are handing over does not matter. We would not though, be able to accept, say, a slot car or a loco as WEEE if you were purchasing a Controller.
We will then arrange to have your WEEE recycled. If the article is appropriate it may be renovated and resold or passed on to charity, otherwise it will be sent to an Approved and Accredited Treatment Facility where all elements of value will be abstracted for further recycling. This service is free of charge, but you are responsible for the cost of returning your WEEE to our premises.
You may bring in to Bridgwater Model Railways 'like for like' WEEE up to two weeks after you make your purchase but please be certain to bring your sales receipt with you otherwise we will not be able to accept the WEEE.
If you are a Mail-order customer or purchasing from our Website and wish to take advantage of this Like-For-Like In Store Take Back Scheme please send the item you wish to be recycled together with a copy of your receipt to:- Bridgwater Model Railways, Platform 2, Bridgwater Station, St John Street. Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5HB.
If it is more convenient, you are permitted to take WEEE to your local Designated Collection Facility.
For other areas, please visit www.recycle-more.co.uk or your Local Authority website to find the location of your local DCF.
