There has been widespread coverage today (28 December), following the launch of a Government consultation outlining plans to boost the recycling of electrical waste. The announcement has been covered across a number of national outlets, including BBC News, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror and The Daily Mail.
Shocking statistics show an estimated 155,000 tonnes of smaller household electricals such as cables, toasters, kettles and power tools are wrongly thrown in the bin each year. The proposed reforms will make it easier for people and business to recycle their old electrical devices, both large and small, with manufacturers and retailers set to be responsible for the recycling. This will mean consumers will be able to recycle their goods during their weekly shop or without even leaving the house – at no cost to them.
The news also featured this morning on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and Recycling Minister Robbie Moore appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss the proposed reforms.
Defra is set to work closely with manufacturers, major retailers and small and medium enterprises throughout the consultation period to ensure the most efficient and accessible options become a reality.
Recycling Minister Robbie Moore said:
Every year millions of household electricals across the UK end up in the bin rather than being correctly recycled or reused. This is a sheer waste of our natural resources and has to stop.
“We all have a drawer of old tech somewhere that we don’t know what to do with and our proposals will ensure these gadgets are easy to dispose of without the need for a trip to your local tip. Our plans will also drive the move to a more circular economy and create new jobs by making all recycling simpler.
2 comments
Comment by Tam Harrison posted on
Please could you let me know how members of the public can contribute to this consultation? It is my environment (as a human being) more than any company's (such entities not being living beings).
Comment by Jackie Aucott posted on
Anything which improves on the current situation is welcome.
However to say that this proposal will be 'at no cost to the consumer' is unlikely; if left to retailers it will become an integrated part of the cost of the appliance - so passed on the consumer.
An additional improvement would be to ensure manufacturers build appliances which do not have built in obsolescence AND were repairable by the average person, where ever possible.