The changes come as the UK easily met previous targets based on weight. The UK collected 6.9kg of WEEE per head in 2008, which was then 2.9kg higher than the WEEE directive stipulated for EU members.
In 2009, the UK collected 36.6 percent of household WEEE, so the new proposal of 65 percent percent appears to be quite ambitious. Many relevant officials in the EU member states have been expressing concerns over the new target, which works out at 22 kg per head.
The WEEE directive is currently passing through the European legislative system. However, due to various new proposals, the process is unlikely to be completed before late 2011. The vote for the revised WEEE directive is expected to take place on 2 February 2011.