WEEE Directive
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (the WEEE directive) which took effect in 2003 was introduced with the aim of reducing the impact on the environment of waste electronic and electrical equipment.
The directive covers the environmental effects of redundant equipment in areas such as collection, recycling and end-of-life waste materials.
Detailed information on the WEEE initiative can be found here:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/32084.aspx