Positive Future Ahead: Retailers and Online Sellers to Take the Lead in E-Waste Recycling
Starting in 2026, a new initiative by the UK Government will put the onus on bricks-and-mortar retailers and online sellers to handle the recycling of consumers’ electronic waste (e-waste). This positive step, supported by Defra (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), will require retailers and manufacturers to take responsibility for collecting discarded large electrical goods, such as fridges or cookers, when delivering new products.
This means that consumers will have the convenience of dropping off e-waste in-stores or arranging for home collections where available. The range of acceptable e-waste items is extensive, encompassing everything from computers, televisions, and air conditioners to toasters, cellphones, cables, cords, children’s toys, power tools, and any other home appliance with electronic components.
By making retailers and manufacturers accountable for the disposal of outdated, broken, and potentially hazardous products, this initiative aims to alleviate the burden on consumers and taxpayers, ensuring the safe and sustainable management of e-waste.
What has brought about this drastic new plan?
It is estimated that only 20% of the UK’s e-waste is currently recycled through the correct channels. This clearly indicates that the majority of e-waste has been dealt with irresponsibly. About 500 million small electrical items ended up in landfill during 2022. The problem was extremely evident during Christmas, when 500 tonnes of Christmas lights were thrown away, the government said. Proper disposal and recycling of electronic devices are therefore important to limit the environmental impact in the UK. The UK was second to Norway for the amount of electrical waste it generates per person. Studies suggest that the UK could, during 2024, become the world’s largest e-waste contributor.
Why is e-waste a problem?
Most electronic appliances contain silver, gold, copper, aluminum, platinum and cobalt. These valuable non-renewable natural resources are been sent to landfill and result in precious materials are simply being thrown away. These precious materials should not be thought of as disposable.
E-waste dumping
India, China and various African countries, have entire computers dumped in their country by rich developed nations. Here entire villagers, including children, sort components to earn a living. Dumping normally occurs in countries whose labour and safety laws don’t protect those doing the detailed, slow and dangerous work of processing e-waste for metal and mineral extraction. Agbogbloshie, an area in Accra (Ghana), is the largest e-waste dumpsite in the world. China meanwhile is the largest producer of electronic waste, generating more than 10 million metric tons annually. The United States places second, with around 7 million metric tons.
Countries with the best e-waste management systems
Switzerland appears to lead the way. They have established a very structured and successful e-waste management system. Despite Switzerland producing 184 kilotons in 2016. the country collects and recycles 75 percent of this discarded material, with 134 kilotons recovered in 2015. The Swiss cell phone recycling rate is an impressive 95%. Japan and Germany are two other countries worth mentioning with successful e-waste recovery rates.
Possible solutions to reduce, contain or reuse e-waste
We need to design electric products in a manner that they are more easily recyclable, with better labeling and construction that will allow components to be removed and reused and allow precious minerals to be rescued from landfills.
We need to demand products that can be recycled, and we should not accept a product that can’t be. They shouldn’t be selling something that can’t be recycled or repurposed.’
We need cellphone companies to create one common charger for all phones. Chargers are often hoarded or wrongly disposed of.
Think twice before buying a new device or upgrading when the old device is in a good condition. Is it a need or want?
There is an urgent need to create an effective recycling program for recycling of all types of batteries.
Find opportunities for reuse. Electronic items in good condition or ones that require minor repairs, should be given to friends, family or a charity that might be able to use them.
If the electric device cannot be repaired or reused, find a reliable recycler near you to recycle it.
Consumers must start demanding that all electronic products manufactured must be able to be recycled or repurposed.
Large retailers need to create in-store drop points for electrical items for free, and without the need to exchange this with a new purchase.
What should South Africa be doing to limit the effect of e-waste in the country?
In South Africa e-waste drop off points are few and far between. Most South Africans have a drawer somewhere in the house where old cell phones and other electronic devices are kept. By the Government passing similar regulations to those being implemented in the UK in 2026, we could streamline the collection of e-waste and avoid it going into landfills. Recycling of e-waste could also lead to the urgent creation of new job opportunities.
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