Developing an environmental strategy for UK film - BFI

example through recycling or composting, and to use more environmentally friendly methods of
waste disposal. Landfill Tax applies to all waste:-
• Disposed of by way of landfill
• At a licensed landfill site
• Unless the waste is specifically exempt
There are two rates of tax: the lower rate which is currently £2 per tonne (increasing to £2.50 per
tonne from April 2008) for inactive waste such as rocks and soil, and the standard rate which is
currently £24 per tonne (increasing by £8 per tonne each year from April 2008 until at least
2010/11).
By reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill, companies within the film industry could see
significant cost savings.
Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE): WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment. The EU’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive was
transposed into the UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE
Regulations) during December 2006, from 1 st July 2007 it is illegal to send WEEE to landfill.
WEEE is the fastest growing waste stream in the UK. The WEEE Regulations aim to reduce the
amount of this waste going to landfill, and increase recovery and recycling rates. Currently 30%
of all electrical waste can be recycled and reused, under this EU Directive the UK is expected to
recycle up to 315,700 tonnes of electrical and electronic waste per year. Previously there has
been no incentive for companies producing electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to care
about the life cycle of their products, however the WEEE Regulations have been designed to
make manufacturers pay for the waste produced by their products, which it is hoped will provide
incentives to design EEE in an environmentally, more efficient way.
The WEEE Regulations apply to manufacturers and retailers of EEE, local authorities, businesses
and other non-household users of electrical and electronic equipment. Businesses that use EEE
(electrical and electronic equipment) must store, collect, treat, recycle and dispose of WEEE
separately from other waste. Disposal of EEE is free to businesses if the EEE was sold after 13 th
August 2005 and if the EEE is being replaced with new equivalent equipment. However,
businesses will have to finance the costs of treatment, recovery and environmentally sound
disposal for all EEE purchased before 13 th August 2005 which is discarded and not replaced on a
one-to-one like-for-like purchase (of new EEE).
Therefore, businesses within the UK film industry who discard old EEE (electrical and electronic
equipment) which was purchased before 13 August 2005, and are not replacing it with equivalent
EEE will have to pay for the costs of treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal.
Considering the amount of EEE used in the film industry, this Regulation has the capacity to
significantly impact on the industry, with non-compliance resulting in prosecution.
Hazardous Waste Regulations: Any business producing hazardous waste has a 'duty of care'
to make sure it is disposed of properly. The Regulations define what hazardous waste is; require
producers of hazardous waste to notify the Environment Agency of their premises (with some
exceptions); ensure safe management of hazardous wastes; provide cradle-to-grave
documentation for the movement of hazardous waste; and, require people who receive hazardous
waste to keep thorough records and provide the Environment Agency with quarterly returns.
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