Unveiling International E-Waste Day 2024: Join the E-Waste Hunt on 14th October
With e-waste growing five times faster than formal recycling rates since 2010, the WEEE Forum's annual awareness day seeks to promote responsible e-waste management in communities worldwide.
According to the latest UN Global E-waste Monitor published earlier this year, e-waste has grown globally 5 times faster than formal recycling collection rates since 2010. Nearly 62 billion kg of e-waste was generated globally in 2022 -- that's a staggering 1.55 million trucks filled with e-waste lined up bumper to bumper along the Earth's equator.
With the predicted quantities of e-waste expected to rise to 82 billion by 2030, the WEEE Forum, the international association representing producer responsibility organisations, brings all those involved together for International E Waste Day on the 14th October each year. The aim is to highlight the importance of responsible management of e-waste in their communities.
"Join the E-Waste Hunt - Retrieve, Recycle, and Revive!"
This year's campaign slogan is: "Join the E-Waste Hunt - Retrieve, Recycle, and Revive!", aiming to inspire us all to declutter our homes of unused devices.
The message is clear: Find anything with a plug, battery or cable, including the often 'forgotten' small electronics: old mobile phones, cables, USB keys, game consoles and other devices that are hidden away in drawers; to recycle and revive. By doing so, everyone can contribute to resource conservation and energy and CO2 savings.
UK Focus: The Great Cable Challenge
In the UK, the 'Recycle your Electricals campaign' with their eye-catching Hypnocat mascot is focusing on raising awareness about the importance of recycling cables. With millions of cables thrown away every year or stashed away in homes, cables are one of the UK's biggest e-waste challenges. Recycle Your Electricals is calling on households, local authorities, retailers, schools and community projects across the UK to take part in the Great Cable Challenge and collectively recycle 1 million cables.
Recycling electricals has never been easier; with over 26,000 recycling points around the UK, just check the Recycle Your Electricals postcode locator to find your nearest recycling point - anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled.
Global Participation and WEEE Forum's Role
Last year, almost 200 companies from 55 countries took part in International E Waste Day, driving awareness by organising events, e-waste collections, social media and press campaigns.
Pascal Leroy, Director General of the WEEE Forum, added: "All organisations sensitive to the issue of e-waste and willing to participate are invited to register with the WEEE Forum and become official participants. In return, we will be loading all the logos of those organisations registered on the International E-Waste Day page."
As a founding member of the WEEE Forum, REPIC is proud to continue its support of the WEEE Forum's International E-Waste Day (IEWD) 2024.
As the UK lead, REPIC is supporting and participating in the nationwide campaign for IEWD coordinated in the UK by Material Focus and its Recycle Your Electricals consumer campaign.
Graeme Milne, REPIC's Chief Executive, expressed his support for the awareness day, commenting:
"International E-Waste Day gathers more interest and momentum each year, acting as a crucial reminder of the value hidden in the forgotten electricals in our homes. By encouraging our communities to retrieve and recycle these items, we can keep valuable resources in circulation. REPIC is proud to spearhead this awareness day in the UK and invites everyone to join the e-waste hunt."
Get Involved: How You Can Join in International E-Waste Day 2024 in the UK?
REPIC is actively supporting local authorities and organisations to set up pop-up collection points by providing e-waste collection containers. These collection points are designed to make it easier for communities to recycle their electrical waste responsibly. The REPIC team will be attending sector events in the coming weeks to encourage sign-ups and raise awareness of this initiative. By engaging directly with stakeholders, REPIC aims to promote the importance of proper e-waste management and foster partnerships that help increase recycling rates across the UK.
