The Perth firm which recycles electronics for Scottish local authorities has branded as “unacceptable” the illegal export of electronic waste or e-waste by unscrupulous “underground” companies.
Viridor is disgusted that companies continue to send their unwanted items abroad to lie in African “digital graveyards” because it is cheaper than disposing of them legally in the UK.
Reports this week suggested that as much as 100,000 tonnes of e-waste the likes of TVs, computers and white goods are shipped from the UK every year in a bid to escape expensive environmental regulations.
Around three-quarters of the items find their way to West African dumps where they cause devastating pollution and health problems for the families who eke out a living by scavenging.
Viridor’s Scottish regional director Colin Paterson said, “The illegal export of e-waste is unlawful, dangerous and unacceptable, full stop. As in other areas, Viridor has led Scottish investment in a European centre of excellence for the sustainable management of e-waste.
“We’re rightly proud of our recycling hub and skilled Scottish workforce. Scottish councils, companies and communities can rest assured of our stringent compliance with local, national and international regulations and to those seeking to cut corners the message is clear illegal e-waste exports won’t pay.”
The illicit trade was revealed in the BBC’s Panorama programme on Monday night, with a tracking device placed in a waste television to see where it ended up in this case, a Lagos street market.
Viridor named UK Recycling and Waste Management Company of the Year recycles e-waste from 96% of Scottish local authorities at one of Europe’s leading specialist centres for the recycling of electronic equipment in Perth.
The company, which has invested over £10 million at the Friarton Road site in recent years, gives new life to some 90% of components arriving on site by, first of all, safely deconstructing electrical items using a combination of the latest recycling technologies with skilled professional operatives.
The Scottish site has recycled over 350,000 televisions in the last year a 60% year-on-year increase as Scots upgraded for the digital switchover and 230,000 fridges.
The site employs nearly 100 people.Watch Panorama: Track My Trash on BBC iPlayer.