ASSOCIATION NEWS - 2003

The Association News for the year 2000/2001 can be read here.

November 2003

UKCRA GOES TO WESTMINSTER 

On the 28th October, UKCRA representatives Chairman Keith Moss from LaserXChange, Vice Chairman Steve Keeble from Phoenix Recycling and Secretary Laura Heywood from Kleen Strike (UK) met with Norman Baker, MP, a strong supporter of environmental issues.  He along with further MP’s, keen and sympathetic to our concern on the UK government’s position regarding printer cartridges and the WEEE Directive, tabled a discussion on the floor of Parliament with Environment Minister Elliott Morley. The full exchange can be read by clicking here.

 UKCRA RECORD FOR NEW MEMBERS

UKCRA had the most new members ever join at one time swelling our numbers by one third.  This indicates the interest and concern remanufacturers and those directly related to the remanufacturing industry have with the WEEE Directive and other challenges that may arise in the future.

October 2003

Following the release in July, 2003 by the DTI of the government report "Responses to Discussion Paper: WEEE and ROHS Directives", there were several statements that can be accredited coming from UKCRA and UKCRA members. It is our primary goal to continue to convince the relevant government departments that inkjet and toner cartridges fulfil all the necessary criteria for inclusion in the WEEE Directive.

On opening our doors to non-remanufacturers but still companies that are UK based and closely related to the remanufacturing industry (vendors, cartridge collection companies and component manufacturers). UKCRA has had an amazing response. By expanding our membership base, UKCRA will have the strength to continue to address industry concerns and keep its members current with the latest environmental, government and industry requirements.

UKCRA was well represented at EXPO, Las Vegas in September with our Chairman Keith Moss of LaserXchange chosen as Group Moderator of the European World Expo panel. Andy Mayfield, UKCRA Technical Director also attended bringing to the members the latest in equipment and technical advances.

August 2003

UKCRA and representatives from ETIRA met representatives from both the DTI and DEFRA at a meeting 23rd of July that was both encouraging in terms of the tone of the meeting, and given the entrenched position of both sides, was a very useful first contact.

We will continue in our efforts to get inclusion of toner and inkjet cartridges into the WEEE Directive as that is where we believe they belong and as supporting technical arguments suggest can be considered EEE in their own right.

The DTI are shortly to release a second Discussion Paper (It would appear the original implementation dates will be put back). UKCRA will look to co-ordinate efforts to pressure the DTI to alter its position, with the UK Remanufacturing Industry, ETIRA, and a large and growing group of friendly Members of Parliament, politicians, Press and pressure groups who are sympathetic to our Industry’s struggle.

UKCRA Members have agreed to join the newly formed European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturing Association. By each Member joining individually – one member, one vote - UKCRA will be able to put issues forward that we feel as an association are important for the Industry.

Any European remanufacturer wanting further infomation on ETIRA please email Vincent, the Secretary here

The D.E.F.R.A. (Dept. for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and the D.T.I. (Department of Trade and Industry) have agreed to meet with UKCRA at a scheduled informal meeting on July 23^rd. We will be addressing Industry concerns more fully and raising any additional points we feel are relevant regarding the UK implementation of the WEEE Directive and the influence it will have on the re-use Industry of toner and inkjet cartridges.

On 28^th March, the UK Government released a Discussion paper seeking initial views concerning implementation of the WEEE Directive in the UK. This consultation process will continue over the next eighteen months with the first response scheduled for 30^th May, 2003. UKCRA, with the leadership of its Chairman, Keith Moss and the sound advice and strategic suggestions by the newly formed ETIRA, have drawn up a logical response not only to the importance of Article 4 of the Directive but a very convincing and logical case that toners and inkjets are weee. This Government Discussion Paper can be viewed by clicking here. It is over 100 pages so be prepared for a good read.

Our response can be viewed by clicking here.

With the volatile and changing times affecting the remanufacturing Industry and the solidly focused direction of the Committee, it was voted unanimously to re-elect the incumbant committee members for a further term. Keith Moss, LaserXchange was again voted in as Chairman serving an unprecedented 5^th term of office; Steve Keeble, Phoenix Recycling as Vice Chairman, Laura Heywood, Kleen Strike UK as Secretary, Andy Mayfield, CF Supplies as Technical Director, Gerry Barnes, GreenCat as Treasurer and Harvey Beeston, Laser Services as Director. We have a strong team and marvelous support from the members and as Keith stated "we live in interesting times" .

UKCRA FOR THE FIRST TIME WELCOMES APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP FROM NON REMANUFACTURERS.

UKCRA has opened its membership for the first time since its formation to companies within the UK remanufacturing industry - but not necessarily remanufacturers. There are still certain requisites that need to be met and still must be voted in by the members but it gives us the opportunity to grow considerably. We have already had requests from component suppliers, charities such as Action Aid, and brokers. We can only grow from strength to strength in dealing with environmental issues that are becoming more and more relevant as each new set of legislation is introduced.

UKCRA welcomed Mr. Charles Clover from The Daily Telegraph to its meeting held in May. Mr. Clover is very interested in the many areas of concern that the remanufacturing industry is facing in the UK and Europe and has vowed to help get these issues to the public. The article he wrote 26^th May can be viewed by clicking here.

March/April 2003

UKCRA CD ROM NEARING COMPLETION.

For the past few months members have been compiling information for a CD Rom - professionally made – that will promote remanufacturing and the Association. It should be finalised in the next few weeks and all members will be offered several copies. Members can then add their own company details should they wish and will be used as a very effective advertising tool. Just one more reason to be a part of an association that works for its members.

The IF Conference in Barcelona was a huge success with the formation of the European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturing Association. UKCRA was privileged to have been involved at its inception with many UKCRA members - on an individual basis - contributing to early workshops as well as being a part of its founder members group. ETIRA will be a huge benefit for the future strength and health of our Industry.

UKCRA has initiated communication with the Environment Agency in order to assist them in whatever way or expertise required in giving them a better understanding of our Industry and the benefits of reuse over recycling. "You are the solution, not the problem" mentioned a Senior Environment Officer acting on behalf of the Environment Agency’s Waste Processing Group, the group responsible for setting the rules and regulations that will govern remanufacturers in the future. Another reason for being a part of UKCRA.