Balancing Act: Opinion on UK waste electricals response

Among the most notable changes within the Defra response is the introduction of a dedicated category for vapes. Along with new obligations for online marketplaces to adhere to the same WEEE compliance responsibilities as UK manufacturers and importers, these changes are logical and go a long way to addressing some of the major gaps in the current UK system.

In recent years, the surge in vapes, many of which are disposed of incorrectly, has created significant environmental challenges for the UK WEEE system. These devices, which contain a combination of electronics and lithium-ion batteries, are frequently being thrown into general waste or littered in public spaces. This rapid influx onto the market has not only added to the amount of electronic waste produced but has also heightened the fire risk in waste collection streams and at recycling facilities. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in vapes, have been linked to fires in waste processing plants, a growing problem that threatens both worker safety and infrastructure stability. According to research by Material Focus, such incidents of fires from batteries increased by 71 per cent to 1,200 reported cases in 2024.

The recognition of vapes as a distinct category should facilitate greater public awareness around their disposal and recycling. The move also signals a recognition by policymakers that emerging e-waste streams require targeted interventions. A similar amendment was introduced in 2013, when the UK amended its WEEE regulations to classify photovoltaic (PV) panels into their own separate category to assist with proper collection, recycling and funding mechanisms for their end-of-life management. REPIC welcomes these tailored interventions and urges their swift implementation to move towards mitigating the pressing environmental and fire risks associated with improper disposal.

Considering the broader areas of reforms in the Defra response, such as the proposal for household collections of small WEEE and free household bulky WEEE collection services, our view is that these should still remain topics for wider consultation.

Ongoing dialogue is essential, particularly with producers, who play a vital role in financing and supporting the system. Change must be carefully aligned to reflect consumer attitudes towards reuse, refurbishment, and recycling, as these factors become increasingly significant in shaping successful policy outcomes.

While expanding household and bulky WEEE collections may seem like a straight forward solution, there is a risk that doing so without careful consideration could unintentionally divert items away from existing reuse and repair pathways. Making disposal more accessible is important, but it must not come at the expense of reducing opportunities for repair and recovery.

It is also vitally important that careful consideration is given to the potential logistical and operational challenges. Local Authorities already face significant pressures in terms of waste management logistics, and any expansion of household collections must be accompanied by clear strategies for sustainable handling, sorting, and processing of collected materials. Without such measures in place, an increase in collection volume could overwhelm existing recycling streams, therefore diminishing overall system effectiveness.

Instead of prioritising tonnage collection alone, it could be more beneficial to further invest in enhancing public understanding of electrical recycling, to see how this changes behaviour before implementing extensive changes to collection infrastructure. Encouraging consumers to make informed decisions about donating, repairing, or properly recycling electrical items is key to driving the transition to a circular economy. The Material Focus “Recycle Your Electricals” campaign has made significant progress in raising awareness and promoting responsible recycling practices. Recognising the success of this initiative, we should now expand on the strong educational foundation that has been established.

REPIC supports the continued testing and evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of various collection methods across a range of different locations. We also advocate for closer consideration of supplementary collection methods, such as strategically placed community bring banks. These have proved successful in numerous permanent locations, including with ILM Highland and Angus Council; and also, where REPIC has implemented them as temporary collection points to mark International E-Waste Day.

Community bring banks offer a practical solution for residents, particularly in more rural locations where access to recycling facilities is limited and in urban areas where kerbside collections are either unfeasible or resource-intensive. Exploring community bring banks as an alternative option is valuable, as not only do they offer another collection method, they also serve as a means of engaging the public in responsible recycling habits. Evidence from recent pilots in local communities shows that these accessible drop-off points help bridge the gap in current collection systems, offering flexible solutions for individuals who may not have easy access to dedicated recycling centres.

Strengthening regulatory enforcement for online marketplaces and ensuring that new obligations are adequately monitored and enforced will be essential to the success of these changes and we look forward to seeing how this will be applied in practice to even out the playing field for UK producers.

The consultation is moving in the right direction, but it is only a starting point. The success of these reforms will depend on their ability to balance practical logistics with the broader vision of a circular economy. A well-functioning WEEE system is one that not only increases collection and recycling rates but also promotes long-term sustainability by incorporating waste prevention measures. For this reason, investment in public education and UK infrastructure must remain a top priority.

Graeme Milne is Chief Executive at REPIC, the UK’s largest WEEE producer compliance scheme.