West Midland companies are invited to a series of breakfast seminars where they can learn more about the law on disposing of electrical waste.

The Environment Agency is offering free and impartial advice at breakfast seminars around the Midlands on the WEEE Regulations which aim to reduce the amount of electrical and electronic equipment being produced and to encourage people to reuse, recycle and recover it.

The seminars will help companies decide if they are legally obliged to comply with the regulations.

Companies that work as manufacturers, rebranders or importers of electrical and electronic equipment are likely to fall within the “producer” category of the regulations and so need to comply.

Hannah Wooldridge, who advises companies on their obligations, said: “It’s really important that businesses comply with these new regulations. Some electrical waste contain hazardous substances such as mercury and lead. To protect the environment the WEEE Regulations were introduced in 2007 to ensure more electrical waste is recycled safely instead of going to landfill.”

Over six million electrical items are discarded by people in the UK every year, which equates to over one million tonnes of waste – enough to fill Wembley Stadium at least six times.

The seminars are taking place at Birmingham City Centre Crowne Plaza on October 1 and Worcester White House on October 8.

After the seminars, the Environment Agency is providing 20-minute clinic sessions after the seminars. Places for these clinic sessions must be booked in advance. To book a place email MidlandsProResTeam@environment-agency.gov.uk