Recycling Unwanted Electronic Equipment in the UK

Introduction

The world’s e-waste pile has never been as large as it is - and it is still growing. If anything, given how quickly technology is advancing, things will get worse before they get better….

As a 'first world' nation, the UK generates a significant amount of this electrical waste and responsible recycling is now crucial, both for environmental and health reasons. The UK produces over 2 million tonnes of it annually, making us as one of the top generators in Europe. 

A recent report indicates that our population is expected to grow by around 10% to 74,000,000 in the next 15 years and our e-waste generation is likely to grow at least as fast as this on current trends. The EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which has now been transposed into UK law, mandates collection and recycling targets for various categories of electrical items. But how well are we actually responding to the requirements of the legislation we’ve signed up to ?

Much progress has been made in recent years on changing our perceptions around sustainable use of our planet’s resources. The concept of a need for a ‘circular’ as opposed to a ‘linear’ economy is now firmly embedded in government thinking, and has survived the recent change of government. We still have a long way to go to achieve the transition, and finance for 'things green' is now at a premium.

In the UK, there are now many options available for recycling electrical waste, including household waste recycling centres, retailer take-back schemes, charity collections, and dedicated WEEE banks. Waste collected at these sites undergoes sorting, dismantling, and separation of materials like metals, plastics, and hazardous substances for reuse or recycling. However, there are still a number of challenges:

•  Public awareness, convenience of access, and economic incentives to recycle could all be improved.

• Increasing miniaturization of electronic devices, and the increasingly complex mix of materials used in their manufacture, is posing technical challenges for efficient and safe recycling.

•  Improper handling, and in particular the practice of exporting our waste to developing countries, has already raised environmental and ethical concerns. Robust enforcement and responsible partnerships will be necessary to help stamp out bad practices. Waste disposal is now ‘big business’ and inevitably this has spawned widespread abuse by less scrupulous recyclers in the name of quick profits.

• Shifting towards a circular economy for electronics, with emphasis on design for repair, reusability, and end-of-life resource recovery, will offer significant benefits, and is arguably the only really sustainable way forward - for the industry and consumers alike.

What needs to be done on a national level?

A key player in modifying the way we deal with waste in the UK has to be our own national government. 

Some progress has admittedly been made, notably in the recognition that UK has a leadership role to play in driving forward world recycling efforts. Unfortunately the optimism that arose from the recent series of COP meetings has waned somewhat as a result of the scaling back of ‘greening’ plans, first by the previous PM, and more recently Labour, who back-tracked on their pledge for £28 Bn per year of green investment spending prior to the election and have since scaled back plans further. Unfortunately Labour now have a madate until June 2029, so we as voters will not now have the chance to ensure that they won't 'kick the ball back into the long grass' in the name of continued austerity, or other priorities.

Whatever the politics, here’s what really needs to happen nationally:

·         We need to enhance data collection and tracking: Accurate data on WEEE generation, collection, and processing is crucial to ensure that any interventions made by our authorities are targeted. Policy adjustments by government and regulators need to be appropriate to support this.

• Technological advancements: Both government and industry both need to invest in innovative recycling technologies for complex materials and miniaturized components – this will improve the efficiency of resource recovery and bring ‘green’ costs down. Increased efficiency will need to be a key development aim in the light of the increasing rarity of some materials used in electronic goods e.g. lithium for electric car batteries, rare earth elements for electronic circuits in mobile phones, tablets, etc. This will pay for itself in the long run, given that prices for these commodities will inevitably rise as demand grows and they become ever scarcer.

• We need partnerships between government, industry, research institutions, and NGOs in order to drive research, development, and the implementation of sustainable waste management solutions.  

• Public understanding of the importance of responsible WEEE disposal and the benefits of choosing sustainable electronics is essential for long-term success. Government-sponsored  targeted advertising campaigns may help, but concrete financial incentives for consumers and manufacturers alike are more likely to garner support. Without public support, there is a danger of the project ‘withering on the vine’. 

Government intervention cannot, and indeed should not, be the only remedy – we as individuals must play a role. What can we actually contribute ?

What can I do on an individual level ?

Until quite recently, we as consumers bought into the idea that innovation was all, and that having the latest electronic gadget was a must. Anything more than a few months old, regardless of whether it was still working, needed to be replaced, and was then often either left to rot in the corner of a cupboard or garage or dumped in the nearest skip.

To some extent, allowing this profligate behaviour to develop was our own fault as consumers, but a lot of the ‘blame’ must be laid at the door of the manufacturers and retailers who made it possible, and indeed encouraged it, through their clever advertising campaigns. Manufacturers were well aware that if they created a demand for new equipment at the expense of old, by tapping into our innate desire for the ‘shiny and new’, their profit margins would continue to remain very healthy. Retailers were quick to fall in with this strategy, accepting it as necessary to maintain their own profits in a competitive world.

All that now has to change – and happily, progress is already being made on the road to doing so.

Why do we need to change ?

The reason this is important is simple – demand for the earth’s ‘virgin’ natural resources already exceeds economically-extractable supply.

The primary reason for this is our species’ unrestrained population growth since the dawn of the industrial era, and our expectations of ever-higher living standards. This is particularly acute in developing countries, who quite understandably want to ‘catch up’ with the rest of the world. Near exponential population growth is likely to continue for at least the next two decades, particularly in some of the poorest 3rd world countries, where its effects are most damaging. The problem will be exacerbated by political rivalry between the major power ‘blocs’ as competition for living space and resources ramps up.

Sadly, there is no sign of any lessening of the demand in sight. Besides the primary driver of population growth, other influences that tend to unbalance the resource-demand equation, which are themselves largely driven by population overload, are global warming and the increasing frequency of so-called ‘proxy’ wars, with their inevitable disruptive effect on the world economy.

The message is a simple one - We must recycle our existing resources if we are not all to end up going without….

Given this rather bleak picture worldwide, you could reasonably argue that any efforts made by the UK, as a small offshore European island, won’t really make much difference when it comes to conserving resources. China is now the most prolific polluter and consumer of virgin resource, and openly plans to continue burning coal in quantity for decades to come, so how can we in the UK make a real difference ?

The answer lies in our so-called ‘soft power’ and in our role as first world consumers. Despite our being in the doldrums economically and feeling the pinch as a result of the cost-of-living crisis,  we should remember that we still command respect in the wider world as a bastion of stability and ‘fair play’, and what we do and say does still matter on the world stage. Witness the continued 'draw' of these crowded islands for the many migrants still determined to escape France (universally regarded as a ‘safe’ country) and reach our shores in small boats - at grave risk to their own well-being.

Another factor that isn’t perhaps so obvious is that much of our electronic goods originate in China and the far east. As consumers of these goods, we have considerable bargaining power. By reducing our consumption of new goods and demanding more sustainable products, we can have a significant influence on the manufacturers and product designers in these countries. 

A good example of how we could influence matters on a practical level relates to the doctrine of ‘planned obsolescence’ still practiced widely by so-called ‘big tech’ and their associated manufacturers.

Almost all electronic items nowadays involve microprocessor control of some description. One quite blatant way this big tech-manufacturer 'alliance' forces us to abandon our existing phones, tablets, pcs etc. and buy new ones, is simply to upgrade the software that controls them, ensuring that the old equipment is no longer compatible with the new software / firmware versions required for full functionality and internet connectivity. All the major big tech outfits are guilty of this practice and countless metric tons of landfill have been generated as a result of it since the start of the millennium.

When challenged on this, big tech’s stock argument is that they are merely responding to the demand we as consumers present, and must therefore innovate to survive. They also claim that it’s impossible to do this without rendering some older equipment obsolete. I’ll leave the reader to assess whether either argument is really a valid one in this day and age….

This type of wanton e-waste generation in the name of profit is belatedly raising eyebrows with regulators, given the obvious environmental pressures we’re now faced with. There is, however, a distinct reluctance on the part of many regulators to act, given the lobbying power of vested interests, and more sustained pressure will need to be brought to bear if we are to achieve real change. The fact that many of the big tech players are international organisations who are adept at avoiding national controls (including local taxation!), will require coordinated international action between national regulators. Not so easy, perhaps, as globalisation declines and nationalism continues to gain ground politically. Thus the consumer influence we can bring to bear will be vital in curbing such behaviour.

As consumers, we can play a major part in this process by simply 'voting with our feet' (or in this case our debit/credit cards). If we collectively refuse to buy a newly-released model and insist on downward compatibility of software versions and viable repair options before we’re prepared to buy, manufacturers and retailers will soon begin to ’toe the line’. Retailers and manufacturers will always respond to customer demand, but usually manage to find a way round new regulations imposed on them from 'on high'.

Active feedback to retailers by consumers will also be important – if we make our views clear to retailers on why we have been deterred from buying a new piece of equipment, this will quickly filter through to manufacturers and designers.

Apple is a good example of this trend in action, and is now starting to feel the ‘cold winds of product winter’ with its iPhone range as a result of significant customer rebellion over its ridiculously high prices and unsustainability. Its new virtual reality headset released and priced at a cool $3500 is a desperate attempt to restore its flagging band image, and is likely to suffer a similar fate. Availability of the specialist  electronic components for its products is also becoming an issue, given the present Red Sea stand-off and other recent geopolitical developments. Paradoxically, geopolitics may actually help rather than hinder the move towards sustainability by restricting access to markets in this way. I suspect Apple will not be the only ones afflicted in the years to come.

So we can all contribute to more effective recycling. Here’s how we might go about it:

How can I contribute ?

• Whenever you are considering upgrading or replacing an item, first ask yourself the question: Do I really need the new product, or could I do without it and continue using the old one for a little longer ? The answer will of course depend on whether the old device is still functional – if it isn’t, then consider whether it can be repaired, or used as it is with a work-round procedure of some sort.

• If the answer is still ‘Yes’, look at the range of products available and consider which of them is the most sustainable. A careful online analysis of specifications and user reviews is also likely to benefit your bank balance – often the cheapest items are the least sustainable and tend to break down the quickest, thus proving the most expensive in the long run.

• Once you have purchased your shiny new item, (and have checked whether it actually does what you wanted it to before the cooling-off period expires !) make sure you recycle your old model.

• If you decide not to purchase on environmental grounds, tell the retailer why, and point out what might have changed your view.

How do I recycle my old electrical kit when I’ve finished with it ?

• First, consider selling it through one of the online second hand sales platforms. This option will enable you to recoup some of its original value, and may generate more revenue than you think, especially if your item is in good condition and is fully functional. Demand for good second hand items has increased as a result of the cost of living crisis, and this has led to healthy competition and a willingness to pay more. Check for recent sales and amounts for similar items and set a realistic starting/offer price based on these. The most widely used online platform is eBay – this is an e-auction site largely focused on mail delivery, but does offer the option of collection only. eBay's new fee structure has shifted the fee burden to buyers, so that it's now more economical to sell items with a value of less than ca £10 (buyers please note!). If you do use eBay, beware of fraudulent return requests, which are on the increase again. There are many other platforms which are fee-free (Gumtree, Freeads, Etsy, Preloved, etc.), although be aware that items usually take longer to sell on these platforms, and there are fewer money-back guarantee schemes attached.

• If you really can’t be bothered with the hassle of selling, why not donate your item to charity ? The cost-of-living crisis has already depressed the level of donations, and many charity outlets are now crying out for new stock; they will often collect from your home by arrangement.

• Take your item to one of your local WEEE recycling centres. You’ll find a database of UK centres online at:  recycleyourelectricals.org.uk.

• If all else fails, and you are able to, take it to your local council’s waste site. Your item may still be put back into use by staff if it’s not obviously defunct or damaged beyond repair. Be quick, though – this option may soon disappear as local councils continue to close waste sites in the name of austerity (and thus greatly increase the risk of fly-tipping, with all its associated costs, in their areas!). If your item is a large one, and/or you don’t have appropriate transport to get it to the nearest tip, many councils offer a free collection scheme. Note however that the free allocation is very limited and any items exceeding your quota will normally be charged for.

The Last Word

I hope this brief guide will provide some useful ideas on how to recycle your unwanted electrical items. The world needs to achieve a more sustainable path in dealing with its e-waste, and we as consumers are one of the best hopes when it comes to driving this forward. We all need to contribute to the development of a circular economy, and we can make a difference if we all work together.

Comments and queries welcome as always via the Contacts page.

Posted: 13.2.24; 

Revised 20.2.25.