Does the Environmental Protection Act 1990 apply to IT disposal?

Yes. It places a duty of care on any business that produces or handles waste, including IT equipment. Waste must only be transferred to a licensed waste carrier, and items such as CRT monitors are classed as hazardous waste.

How does UK GDPR affect IT asset disposal?

Under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 you remain responsible for personal data stored on redundant IT equipment. Data must be securely erased or destroyed before disposal, with penalties of up to 4% of annual turnover for breaches.

What is the WEEE Directive?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, in force since January 2007, requires electrical and electronic waste to be treated at an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF). Recycly Tech processes WEEE under an AATF licence.

Is IT equipment classed as hazardous waste?

Some of it is. CRT monitors and batteries are classified as hazardous, and businesses producing 200kg or more of hazardous waste per year must register with the Environment Agency.

Can old monitors be exported abroad?

The Basel Convention bans the export of hazardous waste, including CRT monitors containing 20-25% lead, to developing countries. Compliant disposal must take place in approved facilities.

WEEE & Data Protection Legislation Guide

Compliance Checklist

This page summarises the legislation relevant to IT recycling and asset disposal in the UK, so you can check that your organisation, and your disposal partner, is fully compliant.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

Your organisation has a legal Duty of Care to ensure redundant computer equipment is properly classified and handled: classifying redundant IT as waste (CRT monitors as hazardous), verifying your waste collector holds a Waste Carrier Licence, ensuring equipment reaches licensed facilities, and retaining responsibility through reuse, recycling or disposal. Using a licensed disposal company protects you from fines.

UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018

The UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 govern how organisations handle personal data, including data held on redundant IT equipment. Fines for serious breaches reach up to 4% of global annual turnover or £17.5 million, whichever is higher. Secure, documented disposal of data-bearing devices protects your customers and your company’s reputation.

Health and Safety

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require employers to avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable. Recycly.Tech staff are trained and insured, and we provide method statements and risk assessments for collections.

The Hazardous Waste Regulations

Batteries and cathode ray tubes are hazardous waste: anything containing a CRT, including old monitors and televisions, is classified as hazardous. Transportation must be handled by licensed carriers using consignment (special waste) notes.

Do you produce hazardous waste?

Many companies historically did not, but since 15 July 2005, CRT monitors and acid batteries are classified as hazardous. If your organisation disposes of 200 kg or more of hazardous waste per year, it must register with the Environment Agency. Without registration, recyclers cannot legally collect your monitors, and both parties face fines.

WEEE Directive

Since January 2007, anything requiring an electrical current to operate must be recycled to WEEE Directive standards. Recycly.Tech works to AATF standards, the highest Environment Agency standard for WEEE treatment.

Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

These regulations control the safety of refurbished and second-hand electrical equipment. Suppliers must ensure equipment is safe before resale; while mandatory testing is not required, supplying unsafe equipment is an offence.

Illegal Export of Redundant IT Equipment

Under UK and international law (the Basel Convention), exporting hazardous waste computer equipment outside the OECD is illegal. Computer monitors contain 20-25% lead, classifying them as hazardous waste. A reputable disposal partner processes everything through licensed UK facilities.

Not sure if you are compliant?

We handle the paperwork, the licensing and the audit trail so you do not have to. Talk to us about your IT disposal and we will make sure every box is ticked.

Talk to Us About Compliance