ABB recycled over 11 tonnes of electrical and electronic waste from its variable speed drives last year. The company's collection in 2005 was up by 57% on 2004 and by 100% on 2003:
The drives are recycled in accordance with the Environment Act of 1990 in the UK, which stipulates how different materials should be disposed of. Recyclable materials such as copper and aluminium are recovered, with hazardous waste such as electrolytic capacitors being sent to specialist disposal facilities. Up to 90 per cent, by weight, of ABB's drives can be reused or recycled.
In the UK, ABB has an agreement with a recycling company and approved waste carrier, RID, to transport and recycle the drives. The company collects from the premises of the partners of ABB Drives Alliance, who have designated recycling bins for drives. In the case of large drives or large quantities of smaller drives, RID collects direct from the end user.
Once the drive has been removed for recycling, ABB issues a certificate that can be used for environmental audits by end users complying with ISO 14001.
Ahead of legislation:
With its established recycling scheme, ABB is ahead of new legislation. Under the European directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), manufacturers will become obliged to take back and recycle certain types of electrical and electronic equipment. Although the directive will not cover drives, ABB offers the service as an added benefit forming part of its 'cradle to grave' philosophy of support for drives customers.
The picture shows an old drive going for recycling.