WEEE & Battery Recycling

What is WEEE?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (2006 No. 3289) (WEEE) is a new UK legislation designed to address the environmental impact of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The regulations have been put in place to ensure that products are recycled using best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques to ensure human health and high environmental protection. Both Altons and our customers can assist in recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment. Altons will undertake their responsibility as both a Producer and a Distributor to dispose of these goods in line with European legislation.

How do I know if my product is covered?

If the symbol shown below is found on any of your goods, it means that the product is covered by the WEEE regulations.

How do I recycle my old products?

It means that you can return waste electrical equipment to Altons when you are purchasing a new product from us under our distributor obligations*. When you have finished with a WEEE product, please do not put in your domestic waste bin, as it will not be recycled. Please contact us on 01268 722816 to arrange a convenient time for you to deliver the old item back to us. Alternatively, you can take your old electrical products to your nearest participating Local Authority Civic Amenity (waste) site which you can find by entering your postcode on the search site www.recycle-more.co.uk.

*It has to be like for like (e.g. an electric mower for an electric mower , not a hedge trimmer for a an electric mower).

What is the Batteries Directive?

This directive sets out clear guidelines for the collection, treatment and recycling of waste industrial, automotive and portable batteries. All batteries are required to be labeled with the appropriate battery label. The regulations have been put in place to ensure that products are recycled using best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques to ensure human health and high environmental protection.

How do I recycle my old batteries?

You can recycle all household batteries at Altons. These include AAA cells, mobile phone batteries and button cells (used in hearing aids and watches). Any type of household batteries can be accepted at our battery recycling point, typically from 1.5 to 9 volts, including all types of sealed batteries from AAAs through to laptop types. Used batteries can be returned and deposited in our collection bin at Alton Garden Centre, Arterial Road, Wickford, Essex, SS12 9JG.