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Environment Agency makes first e-waste arrest

33 cargo containers of electrical goods prevented from leaving the UK in the past six months

e-Waste is a huge problem in Africa

The Environment Agency announced yesterday that a man had been arrested as part of a crackdown on the illegal export of e-waste from Britain to the developing world.

The 46-year-old from West Sussex was released on bail until 5 May.

E-waste has been high on the media agenda with a joint investigation between the Independent, Sky News and Greenpeace finding that 23,000 tonnes of computers are being dumped illegally in Africa every year from the UK, in violation of the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

The Environment Agency also said it was increasing it efforts to intercept e-waste as it leaves Britain and had prevented 33 cargo containers of electrical goods from leaving the UK in the past six months.

The arrest was the first by the agency's new environmental crime unit.

Louise Richards, chief executive of Computer Aid International, which promotes the re-use of old IT equipment in developing countries, welcomed the news.

"We can only hope the arrest made in February 2009 is the first of many, as there is a lot to be done to stem the flow of e-waste at the source," she said.

"While detaining 33 cargo containers is an excellent start, we must remember there are at least 23,000 tonnes of computers illegally exported from the UK every year."

Environment Agency makes first e-waste arrest

33 cargo containers of electrical goods prevented from leaving the UK in the past six months

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