UK e-scrap recycling dips in 2012

United Kingdom – The UK’s e-scrap collection volumes fell to 368 520 tonnes in January-September last year from 380 915 tonnes in the same period of 2011, according to the nation’s Environment Agency. With a collection rate of some 38% in 2011, the UK is still ‘significantly short’ of meeting the 45% target demanded by 2016, it adds.

The collection rate for household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) dropped from around 48% in the first three quarters of 2011 to 47.2% in the same period last year. The business-to-business sector witnessed a drop in collection volumes from 108 101 tonnes to 103 705 tonnes.

Meanwhile, new equipment entering the market declined from more than 790 000 tonnes to a little over 780 000 tonnes. However, collections in the third quarter of 2012 achieved an ‘annual high’ of 127 331 tonnes versus 121 246 tonnes in January-March and 119 950 tonnes in April-June.

Additionally, collections in the small household appliances category, which covers items such as vacuum cleaners, irons and toasters, amounted to 25 291 tonnes in last year’s January-September period – up from 24 223 tonnes in the first three quarters of 2011, states the Environment Agency.

At present, it is not possible to calculate the UK’€™s exact WEEE collection rate for the mentioned timeframe in 2012. Instead, analysts are relying on proportional calculations linked to the volume of new electronic and electrical equipment placed on the market.

For more information, visit: www.environment-agency.gov.uk