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WEEE data shows progress towards target

The waste electrical and electronic (WEEE) data for Q2 was published by the Environment Agency earlier this month, revealing progress towards the collection targets.

The waste electrical and electronic (WEEE) data for Q2 was published by the Environment Agency earlier this month, revealing progress towards the collection targets.

Despite a slight drop in figures in Q2 from the previous period, the data indicates that the UK is currently on track to meet its annual target, which has been missed for the last four years.

The data shows that 118,347 tonnes of WEEE was collected between April to June this year. This is nearly double the collections from the same three month period last year, when the household waste and recycling centres were closed as a result of the pandemic. In Q2 last year, just 64,000 tonnes were collected.

The Environment Agency has set WEEE compliance schemes a target of collecting 503,629 tonnes of household WEEE for 2021. This is an increase of around 9% from the 460,134 tonnes collected and reported in 2020. As a result of the household waste and recycling centres (HWRC) closures and travel restrictions last year, and the impact on disposal and collections of WEEE, the collections data from 2020 was not used in the setting of the target for 2021.

With 120,227 tonnes between January and March, total collections for 2021 sit at 238,574 tonnes, which is 47 per cent of the annual target. Small Mixed WEEE collections increased in Q2 2021, with 33,669 tonnes compared to 28,747 tonnes collected in the previous period. Collections of large household appliances (LHA) in Q2 2021 were, however, lower than in Q1 2021 at 37,381 tonnes compared to 47,535 tonnes.

The collection figures for the year are relatively encouraging so far, especially considering the impact that the lockdown would have had on the industry at the start of the year.

Vikkie Fitzgerald

Head of WEEE

Head of WEEE at Clarity Environmental, Vikkie Fitzgerald, said: “The collection figures for the year are relatively encouraging so far, especially considering the impact that the lockdown would have had on the industry at the start of the year. The increase in collections of small mixed WEEE compared to the previous quarter, can almost certainly be attributed, at least in part, to the introduction of mandatory in-store takeback, which provides additional options for consumers to recycle their unwanted electricals. We hope to see continued improvements in collections for SMW as consumers become more aware of this option.”

Vikkie went on to say that the industry remains cautious. “Whilst the data does look far more positive than it was this time last year, there is still much work to be done to maintain collections for the remainder of the year and ensure that the UK meets the annual target.”

Comply with Clarity

If your business manufactures, imports or rebrands electrical or electronic goods in the UK then you must comply with the UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. Our approved WEEE compliance scheme has unrivalled member support, cost-effective packages and a variety of WEEE membership categories for all producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).

WEEE compliance

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