UK Government Proposes Boosting Recycling of Electrical Goods

The UK government is considering implementing a plan to increase the recycling of electrical goods. This proposal aims to reduce the amount of waste generated by discarded electrical items, such as toasters and hairdryers. The government is also considering the establishment of drop-off points in retailers for households to recycle unwanted items for free. Additionally, shops and online sellers would be required to collect unwanted or broken larger electrical items, such as refrigerators, when delivering replacements.

To achieve this, a 10-week consultation process is underway, during which the government will gather feedback and opinions on the proposed measures. The government has emphasized that these home collections would not require any additional bins and that the cost of the pickups would be financed by the producers of electrical items, rather than falling on taxpayers.

According to the government’s estimates, approximately 500 tonnes of fairy lights are discarded every year in the UK, along with 155,000 tonnes of smaller household electrical items, such as cables, toasters, kettles, and power tools. These items are often incorrectly thrown away instead of being recycled or reused.

In addition to the proposed measures for electrical goods, the government will also consult on ensuring that vape suppliers fund the collection of single-use vape products to prevent them from ending up in landfills. However, it is not guaranteed that these products will be entirely recycled.

The Environmental Services Association’s executive director, Jacob Hayler, has welcomed the government’s plans, stating that they could make it “simpler and more convenient” for households to recycle waste electronics at home. He added that the consultation process would provide an opportunity for those operating recycling centers and kerbside collection services to contribute their expertise and help create an effective system that benefits all parties involved.

The proposed measures are part of a joint consultation involving the UK government, the Scottish government, the Welsh government, and the Northern Ireland Executive. The goal of these measures is to create a more efficient and environmentally friendly approach to recycling and waste management in the UK.