International logistics company, DHL has become the first organisation in Australia to be approved as a ‘Co-regulatory Arrangement’ with its Envirosolutions environmental services offering.
The Australian government has introduced the Co-regulatory Arrangement - similar to the producer compliance scheme in the UK - in response to the ambitious new regulations aimed at improving Australia’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling performance for TVs and IT equipment.
The initiative shifts the targets for recycling of these products up from 17 per cent in 2010 to 80 per cent by 2020-21.
DHL said that it will work closely with local councils to establish a national WEEE collection service on behalf of equipment importers and local manufacturers. Due to commence in mid 2012, the service should roll out nationwide by the end of 2013.
While the scheme is a first for Australia, DHL said that its Envirosolutions service is an established service provider under the UK’s WEEE and Packaging Waste Regulations.
The company claimed that this experience, combined with it previous work in WEEE collection, transport, recycling and Local Authority support systems will be makes its service ideally placed to help Australia achieve its new product stewardship legislation.
“The global expansion in product stewardship legislation means that customers across the world are looking for a proven and reliable partner to help them to meet their obligations,” explained Sean Hodges, vice president Global Environmental Solutions for DHL.
