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"To develop mutually reinforcing policies, products, technologies behaviours and lifestyle that reduce waste of all kinds, with zero waste as the long term ideal."
(RSA, 2005)
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Zero waste
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The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (RSA) was founded in 1754, and exists to encourage the development of a principled and prosperous society. The WEEE Man project has been developed in collaboration with Canon Europe under the RSA's environmental manifesto challenge, Moving Towards a Zero Waste Society.
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Reducing waste and the WEEE man
In 2004, the RSA celebrated its 250th anniversary with a new manifesto. Among its five core challenges was Moving Towards a Zero Waste Society.
The extraordinary WEEE man installation forms part of this challenge. The initiative will raise public awareness of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and will act as a catalyst for action for consumers, retailers, designers and manufacturers. The focus is on successfully dealing with WEEE through recycling, reuse, repair, refurbishment and sustainable manufacturing.
Responsible waste management across Europe
Situated on London’s South Bank, the sculpture will draw attention to the huge challenge WEEE has become in Europe and the need for responsible waste management.
The European Union WEEE directive, which became effective in early 2003, calls on European member states to implement the legal framework for producers to take responsibility for their electric and electronic products at end of life, and encourages reuse and recycling. In the UK, the legislation for the EU WEEE directive is expected to be introduced in early 2006.
WEEE is the fastest–growing waste sector in the EU – about 14kg per European citizen, or 6.5 million tonnes per year. The UK population contributes significantly to Europe’s WEEE problem: by 2015, it is likely to own more than 70 million set–top boxes, 63 million TVs and 14 million VCR and DVD players.
(Source: Energy savings trust)
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