What the WEEE symbol looks like
The WEEE symbol shows a wheeled bin with a cross through it. It is usually printed on the product itself, on a rating plate or label, or near the battery compartment. Where a product is too small, the marking can appear on the packaging, instructions or warranty card instead.
What the symbol means
The crossed-out bin indicates that the product is electrical or electronic equipment that should not be placed in general waste when it is discarded. Its purpose is to encourage separate collection, so the equipment can be reused, recycled or treated rather than sent to landfill.
The black bar beneath the bin
Many products show a solid black bar underneath the crossed-out bin. The bar indicates that the product was placed on the market after 13 August 2005. Older equipment may carry the bin without the bar, or no marking at all, but it is still electrical equipment and still WEEE when discarded.
Who puts the symbol on products
GOV.UK guidance lists marking products with the crossed-out wheeled bin among the obligations of producers, the businesses that manufacture, import or rebrand electrical equipment for the UK market. Retailers and distributors also have to give customers information about keeping WEEE separate and the meaning of the symbol.
Where businesses see the symbol
In a typical workplace the marking appears on laptops, monitors, keyboards, printers, phones, kettles, microwaves, power tools, lighting and batteries. It is also found on commercial equipment such as tills, card machines, projectors and network hardware.
Items without a visible symbol
A worn label or missing marking does not take an item outside the WEEE framework. If a product relies on electricity or batteries to work, it is electrical equipment and can be included in a WEEE collection whether or not the symbol is still visible.
Frequently asked questions
Does the black bar under the bin have a meaning?
Yes. It shows the product was placed on the market after 13 August 2005.
Is the crossed-out bin a recycling logo?
No. It is a marking that indicates separate collection of electrical waste, rather than a logo for a particular recycling service.
Can items without the symbol be collected?
Yes. Electrical equipment without a visible symbol can still be collected as WEEE.
Sources
Discuss your electrical waste
Contact our team to arrange collection of business electrical equipment, with or without the WEEE symbol. Have an item list and approximate quantities ready, with your collection location and access details.
Contact our teamThis article is for general information only and does not constitute professional or legal advice. Waste producers are legally responsible for correctly classifying their waste. For guidance on your specific electrical waste, please contact our team.