By 13th August 2005, all Ericsson Market Units within the (then) 25 European countries had complied with the directive on handling, recycling and disposal of waste electronic and electrical equipment. Now Ericsson is working globally to satisfy WEEE-like legislation in other countries around the world. Stephen Rodgers, manager, Ecology Affairs, says: “Our customers are becoming more aware of the environmental consequences of their activities, which means they make sure their suppliers, such as Ericsson, follow strict environmental regulations. Therefore the company is increasing its focus on Ecology Management other associated environmental initiatives.”

In compliance with the EU WEEE directive, Ericsson is offering free take-back of customers’ decommissioned equipment, a task handled by Ericsson Ecology Management. “If customers agree to having their electronic waste collected and processed by Ericsson, the company ensures that it is dealt with in accordance with both EU and local environmental regulations and procedures,” Rodgers says. “Each of our EU subsidiaries is also responsible for regularly reporting to their respective local authorities on the number of products they sell and take back.” This is a useful measure of Ericsson's environmental performance, and all Ericsson Market Units are now required to report their figures to Ecology Management every month.

As well as environmental and legal benefits, there are economic advantages, too. The primary aim under WEEE is to try and reuse the products; if they cannot be reused, they are recycled, with part of the revenue from the precious metals used to offset the costs associated with Ecology Management.

The EU WEEE directive aims to recycle or reuse 75 percent of recovered equipment and ensure that less than 25 percent ends up in landfill sites. “Ericsson already fulfills this goal, and intends to exceed it by a healthy margin," Rodgers says. The directive will be used as the guiding regulatory document, which should ensure that Ericsson will be able to rapidly comply with other countries' similar legislation as such requirements are adopted.

Ericsson Ecology Management can now handle requests for take-back from any of its customers, anywhere, via a network of 23 market units and numerous local companies. This also applies to internal sources of electronic waste, such as test environments, repair centers, and R&D and manufacturing facilities. The whole process will be run globally through around five recycling organizations.

 “Everyone has been very cooperative,” Rogers says. “When people find out that it not only benefits the company but also the environment, they are very positive and willing to help."