As the government activities wound down ahead of the Christmas period, it was widely expected that Defra would announce a new plan for the Distributor Take-back Scheme (DTS).
To date retailers have generally contributed to WEEE recycling via a fund which has paid for WEEE collection facilities and promotion at civic amenity sites with little take-back in-store. Some retailers collect WEEE when they deliver new products to the home.
Now however Defra is expected to propose staggered revisions to the DTS system which is likely to see the development of take-back schemes by retailers.
Full details were expected to be published in late December and on the cards is the idea that shoppers could return, for example, a kettle to the store from which they buy a new kettle.
And retailers would be encouraged to collect more WEEE when goods are delivered.
Support for the civic amenity site WEEE facilities are also expected to remain an option.
The system for 2020 is needed as the current programme comes to an end at the end of the year.
