The UK is handling the packaging responsibility in a particular way and says that all in the chain, not just the package fillers, should take some responsibility.

These packaging requirements started off as a voluntary agreement, but industry itself wanted them to become regulatory - in order to stop "freeloaders".

There are other producer responsibility directives coming in from Europe. Electronic equipment (including PCs) will be subject to similar constraints about re-use and recycling, and there is talk of cars being subject to similar regulations.

Finally: You may find the following piece of law useful when you are trying to find out information in your locality.

For more on Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment check out the site of Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition:

http://www.svtc.org