The Environment Agency has published data for the amount of waste electrical and electronic (WEEE) collected in the third quarter of 2013.
These latest figures show that a total of 125,183 tonnes of household and non-household WEEE were collected for recycling between July and September 2013. This is down on the tonnages collected for the same period last year, which is widely thought to be as a result of newer products being lighter in weight, as well as reduced consumption from shoppers in the financial downturn.
Vikkie Fitzgerald, Project Manager at Clarity, said the data had broadly remained in line with trends witnessed in the retail sector over sales of new goods:
“The quarter three data hasn’t thrown up any big surprises, with either EEE placed on the market or WEEE being collected. Category 11 has experienced a decrease in WEEE versus the increase in EEE. This makes sense when you consider the increasing numbers of LEDs, LCDs and plasmas that are entering the WEEE stream. These figures are set against an increase in the sales volumes of category 11 as the UK tentatively starts spending again.”
Vikkie added that category 12 echoed this: “The figures show a much larger quarter on quarter increase in category 12 EEE placed on the market, rising from 36,682.582 in Q1 to 54,149.426 in Q3. This is perhaps down to the trend for American style fridges, which tend to be far larger than the traditional type previously favoured.
“This rise has been apparent through our own network, with more category 12 collections coming through Recycle with Clarity, as well as an increase in data from the category 12 members of our WEEE compliance scheme.
Under changes being brought in as part of the recast WEEE Directive, collection rates will be calculated proportionately by linking to the amount of new electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) placed on the market. Under changes being brought in as part of the recast WEEE Directive, collection rates will be calculated proportionately by linking to the amount of new electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) placed on the market.
