Report Warns of UK’s Rising Pile of Hoarded E-Waste

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The recent study by non-profit organization Material Focus pointed out that £17 billion worth of small electrical are being piled up in the UK households translating to a holding of £620 per household.

According to the study report titled “Hidden Treasures”, the UK households throw away nearly 155,000 tonnes of small electricals every year. The total resale value of these products will be approximately £17 billion, if they were to be reused or passed on. The reuse and passing on of disused electricals would save nearly £370 billion for the UK economy. Also, reusing and repurposing of small electrical could cave up to 2.8 million tonnes in carbon emissions, the report said.

Material Focus has launched a nationwide campaign to encourage households to start reusing and recycling their old electricals. It calls upon UK householders to collect their old unwanted electricals in a bag, ready to be disposed of at nearby collection and drop-off points, as lockdown restrictions are lifted. Many millions of small electricals are not being correctly recycled or reused in the UK, it said.

In order for the UK to maintain its position as a world’s leading environment protector, it has to better manage its e-waste and transition to a more efficient circular economy.

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