Sustainability issues are having an increasing impact on electrical contractors.

A key example is the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive, which aims to prevent electrical and electronic equipment from going to landfill by boosting equipment recovery rates.

Under the regulations, contractors who badge components when assembling equipment may be classed as ‘producers’. They would therefore have to take on financial responsibility for recycling WEEE.

Costs are likely to rise as suppliers charge installers to cover their recovery obligations and as producers pay for transporting and recovering WEEE. ECA members will need to take these extra costs into account when tendering.

However, there are also commercial opportunities. ECA companies that help clients deal with WEEE and hazardous waste, or install energy efficient equipment, may be able to win more business and improve their margins. Members can also improve their own waste and energy performance and save money.

The ECA is running a special workshop in October on Part L, WEEE, hazardous waste and other sustainability issues. It will consider the needs of companies of all sizes and provide a platform for helping ECA members to benefit from the growing sustainability agenda.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor