WEEE take-back for online sellers and shops
Use free in-store acceptance where customers can readily return equipment, or arrange a free alternative collection service. Consider DTS only if your business meets its current eligibility rules; selling online alongside a shop does not make you solely online. Plan the route before ordering electrical stock with Cambridge China Bridge.
Choose a route for your actual sales channels
This guide covers take-back of customers’ old household electrical equipment when they buy a replacement. The rules apply across shop and distance sales. Start by mapping where customers buy, where they can return equipment and who will handle it.
If you import electrical equipment, confirm any producer responsibilities with the relevant regulator. See WEEE rules for importers to prepare that discussion and sourcing for online sellers for packaging and returns planning.
In-store acceptance suits an accessible shop
The service must cover equipment of the same type or function, regardless of brand or whether the replacement was bought in store, online or by mail order. Choose this route if your shop can receive old equipment and your staff can explain the process consistently.
Define the receiving point, opening hours, handling arrangements and onward collection before launch. Test the instructions with an online customer who lives away from your shop: a process that works at the till may be awkward after a parcel delivery.
An alternative local service needs an actual arrangement
An alternative take-back service must be free. Official guidance describes setting up a designated collection facility, alone or with other distributors. Managing it brings waste-management and local planning requirements, plus an agreement with a producer compliance scheme for delivery to an approved treatment facility.
Consider this route where shop storage is difficult but a suitable local facility can serve customers. Before naming it in customer instructions, agree accepted equipment, access, opening hours, handover responsibilities and what happens if the facility cannot accept an item. Treat a nearby recycling centre as a potential partner to check, rather than an arrangement already secured.
Check current DTS eligibility before joining
The Distributor Takeback Scheme (DTS) is an alternative to providing your own take-back service. Current guidance permits businesses selling less than £100,000 of electrical equipment per year, or retailers selling solely online, to join. Vape retailers are excluded.
For mixed shop and online sales, assess the business’s electrical sales together: the solely online route does not apply. At £100,000 or above, a mixed-channel business should arrange its own take-back service. Recheck eligibility before opening a shop or changing your product range.
| Route | When to consider it | What to settle |
|---|---|---|
| In-store acceptance | An accessible shop with receiving space | Staff instructions, storage and onward collection |
| Alternative local service | A suitable facility can serve your customers | A confirmed service and clear handover arrangements |
| DTS | Your business meets the eligibility rules | Membership and customer disposal instructions |
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Make the chosen route visible and auditable
Customers must receive free written information about the service, reuse and recycling, separate disposal, environmental harm and the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol. Online retailers must publish it on their website. Use matching wording in shop notices and order communications so customers receive consistent instructions.
For your own take-back service, keep collection, disposal and customer-information records for 4 years. DTS members must record the information given about where customers should take their waste equipment. Assign an owner to check that the advertised receiving point still operates and that staff can find the records.
Frequently asked questions
Can an online-only electrical seller join DTS?
Yes, current guidance allows solely online electrical retailers to join regardless of electrical sales value. Vape retailers are excluded.
Can my shop and website use the online-only exemption?
No. A mixed-channel business is not solely online. DTS eligibility instead depends on annual electrical sales being less than £100,000, with vape retailers excluded.
Can I send customers to a nearby recycling centre?
Confirm a proper arrangement before advertising it as your alternative service. Check accepted equipment, customer access and responsibilities with the facility, or consider DTS if eligible.
Does take-back replace my importer WEEE registration?
Do not assume that retailer take-back arrangements settle any importer producer responsibilities. If you import electrical equipment and sell it to household customers, confirm with the relevant regulator which responsibilities apply and plan accordingly.