Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy
Environmental Audit Committee
Closed
Inquiry
The Environmental Audit Committee re-launched an inquiry into Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy on Friday 13 March. This inquiry will explore how the UK could reduce its environmental impact, create economic opportunities and maintain access to critical materials by better managing and minimising its e-waste. Evidence submitted to the …
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29
Recommendations
14
Conclusions
1
Report
4
Oral sessions
2
Letters
4
Events
Activity timeline 8 events
26 Feb
2021
2021
26 Nov
2020
2020
Report published
17 Sep
2020
2020
Oral evidence
17 Sep
2020
2020
15 Sep
2020
2020
16 Jul
2020
2020
Oral evidence
25 Jun
2020
2020
Oral evidence
11 Jun
2020
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
17 Sep 2020
View on parliament.uk
Oral Evidence
Chris Preston · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Malcolm Lythgo · Environment Agency
Rebecca Pow MP · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
16 Jul 2020
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E-Waste panel 1; E-Waste panel 2
Andrew Mullen · Joint Trade Association
Astrid Wynne · TechBuyer
Eva Gouwens · Fairphone
Kevin Consindine · Samsung
Matthew Manning · DixonsCarphone
Robert ter Kuile · Amazon
25 Jun 2020
View on parliament.uk
Oral evidence
Heather McFarlane · Fidra
Jim Puckett · Basel Action Network
Libby Peake · Green Alliance
Martyn Allen · Electrical Safety First
Susanne Baker · techUK
Ugo Vallauri · The Restart Project
11 Jun 2020
View on parliament.uk
Oral evidence
Adrian Hawkes · Distributor Take-back scheme
Gurbaksh Badhan · National Association of Waste Disposal Officers
Lee Marshall · The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee
Louise Grantham · Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment Scheme Forum
Phil Conran · Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities Forum
Scott Butler · Material Focus
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Report - Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy | HC 220 | 26 Nov 2020 | 43 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
20 results
3
Conclusion
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Targets for producer compliance schemes have been missed over recent years.
Targets for producer compliance schemes have been missed over recent years. For 2020 the target has been brought down to match the actual amount collected in 2019 due to the impact of Covid-19. Targets are set annually, which prevents all …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's point regarding short-term targets and their impact on long-term planning for WEEE collection. They commit to exploring this issue in depth during a review of current regulations and will seek views and evidence as part of a consultation later this year.
4
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
DEFRA must set long term targets that align with existing commitments like zero waste to...
DEFRA must set long term targets that align with existing commitments like zero waste to landfill. The targets should have milestones at clear intervals, to allow certainty for businesses and investors. They must be set using independently verified data not …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's recommendation for long-term targets and the case for certainty for businesses and investors. However, they will explore this issue in more depth and seek views as part of a review of current regulations and a consultation later this year.
5
Conclusion
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Our inquiry has heard that making official collection routes for the public easy and consistent...
Our inquiry has heard that making official collection routes for the public easy and consistent is key to ensuring products are correctly re-used, repaired and recycled. Retailer take-back is an effective method, so we welcome the Government requirement for large …
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Government Response
The government thanks the Committee for highlighting the need for enhanced retailer obligations and parity between online and physical sellers. They confirm this is a key area for reform and will consult on proposals as part of the review of WEEE Regulations, drawing on principles from extended producer responsibility for packaging.
6
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Our high streets are under severe pressure and current regulations, coming into force from 2021,...
Our high streets are under severe pressure and current regulations, coming into force from 2021, could unfairly entrench the competitive advantage of online retailers and 60 Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy marketplaces like Amazon. As a matter of urgency …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for parity in obligations for online sellers and marketplaces, stating that ongoing work for Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging will inform the review of WEEE Regulations, on which they will consult.
7
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
To prevent a potential loophole with take-back being offered only at remote, inconvenient warehouses, the...
To prevent a potential loophole with take-back being offered only at remote, inconvenient warehouses, the regulations should follow the exemplary innovation shown by AO.com and DixonsCarphone. Online retailers and marketplaces for electrical and electronic equipment must arrange and pay for …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the need to enhance retailer obligations and ensure parity for online sellers, highlighting this as a key area for reform; they will consult on proposals for these changes as part of the WEEE Regulations review.
8
Conclusion
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
A mixture of collection types is needed to tackle the significant E-waste collection challenges.
A mixture of collection types is needed to tackle the significant E-waste collection challenges. As well as Retailer Take-back, kerbside collection has been shown to be very effective and easy for the public to hand-over their electronics cost-effectively and with …
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Government Response
The government recognises the importance of robust collection infrastructure, including kerbside collections, and is exploring options for rolling these out. They will consult on these proposals as part of the WEEE Regulations review.
9
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
The Government must make this mandatory for local authorities, with the cost paid for by...
The Government must make this mandatory for local authorities, with the cost paid for by producers and those smaller retailers or online marketplaces still exempt from collecting E-waste directly from the public. (Paragraph 70) Conclusion
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of robust collection infrastructure and is exploring options for kerbside collections and enhanced retailer obligations. They will consult on these options as part of a review of WEEE Regulations later this year.
10
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
An Extended Producer Responsibility scheme could be used to incentivise the very best practice in...
An Extended Producer Responsibility scheme could be used to incentivise the very best practice in circular low-carbon product design. However, care must be taken to put circular economy principles at the heart of the policy and efforts made to harmonise …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the recommendation to enhance retailer obligations and ensure parity for online sellers, stating these principles will form an important part of the upcoming review of WEEE Regulations and will be subject to consultation.
11
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
In any future producer responsibility system online marketplaces like Amazon should be responsible for ensuring...
In any future producer responsibility system online marketplaces like Amazon should be responsible for ensuring that all EEE that is sold on their platforms is fully compliant with the law. Furthermore, producers should be required to pay exactly the same …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for parity in obligations for online sellers and marketplaces, stating that ongoing work for Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging will inform the review of WEEE Regulations, on which they will consult.
17
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Minister Pow MP indicated that the Government is looking into enhancing and extending the minimum...
Minister Pow MP indicated that the Government is looking into enhancing and extending the minimum guarantees on electronic products, including software. We support this proposal and urge the Government to bring this forward with the aim of removing electronics with …
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Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of Ecodesign and consumer information to combat planned obsolescence. They refer to past consultations on Ecodesign Regulations and state they will explore applying eco-modulation principles within the WEEE system review to incentivise better Ecodesign.
25
Conclusion
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Producers, local authorities and recyclers have little or no incentive to re-use products over recycling...
Producers, local authorities and recyclers have little or no incentive to re-use products over recycling them. (Paragraph 116) Recommendation 15
Government Response
The government recognizes the importance of reuse and commits to exploring the feasibility of measures, including reuse targets and modulated financial obligations under the WEEE Regulations, and will consult on policy proposals to this effect.
26
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
The Government must increase the incentives for re-use so that all parties benefit from further...
The Government must increase the incentives for re-use so that all parties benefit from further re-use, in particularly making re-use evidence worth more than recycling evidence. (Paragraph 116) Conclusion
Government Response
The government committed in its Resources and Waste Strategy to explore measures for increased reuse in its WEEE Regulations review. It is discussing with stakeholders and will fully explore the role of reuse targets, modulating financial obligations, and other policy proposals, which will be part of a consultation.
27
Conclusion
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Some countries set re-use targets for electronics, such as Spain and Belgium.
Some countries set re-use targets for electronics, such as Spain and Belgium. (Paragraph 117) Recommendation 16
Government Response
The government recognizes the importance of encouraging reuse and commits to fully exploring the potential role of reuse targets, including how they should be defined and monitored, as part of its review of the WEEE Regulations, and will consult on policy proposals.
28
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
The UK Government should set similar re-use targets for producer compliance schemes, with penalties levied...
The UK Government should set similar re-use targets for producer compliance schemes, with penalties levied when targets are missed. These targets must be set long term and ratchet over time to give the industry clarity and time to prepare. (Paragraph …
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Government Response
The government recognises the importance of reuse and committed to exploring the feasibility of measures to encourage it within the WEEE Regulations review. They will fully explore the potential role of reuse targets and consult on policy proposals.
29
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Manufacturers of electronics must ensure that their products are recyclable and dismantlable by waste treatment...
Manufacturers of electronics must ensure that their products are recyclable and dismantlable by waste treatment operators. The Government must apply incentives, potentially through the extended producer responsibility scheme, for the design of products that are easy to recycle. (Paragraph 126) …
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Government Response
The government commits to exploring the application of eco-modulation within the WEEE system to incentivize manufacturers to design more sustainable, durable, repairable, and recyclable electrical products, and will consult on its practical introduction as part of the WEEE Regulations review.
31
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
We recommend that the Government fast-tracks the national materials datahub to track critical raw materials...
We recommend that the Government fast-tracks the national materials datahub to track critical raw materials in the UK. The aspects that focus on critical raw materials, E-waste and toxic chemicals should be operational by 2023. (Paragraph 128) 64 Electronic Waste …
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Government Response
The government recognizes the value of a National Materials Datahub but states the project is currently on hold. Discussions are underway to establish future demand and funding options, indicating a deferral of the recommendation to fast-track its implementation by 2023.
34
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Recycling methods covered by Best Available Treatment Recovery and Recycling Techniques, and recycling and recovery...
Recycling methods covered by Best Available Treatment Recovery and Recycling Techniques, and recycling and recovery targets must be ambitious with a shift away from recovery towards high-quality recycling. There must be a clearly defined and communicated long-term pathway, with milestones, …
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Government Response
The government states that a shift to higher-quality recycling would require more challenging targets. They note that existing Best Available Treatment (BAT) and Best Available Treatment Recovery and Recycling Techniques (BATRRT) standards are being reviewed, with new enhanced guidance planned for consultation in early 2021.
36
Conclusion
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
The current short-term and transactional nature of the electronic waste system is not delivering the...
The current short-term and transactional nature of the electronic waste system is not delivering the high-quality and high-capacity recycling this country needs if it is to reach a circular economy and extract the full benefits to jobs and the economy …
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Government Response
The government notes concerns about the short-term nature of the WEEE system and will explore and consult on a longer-term approach to promote certainty and investment in higher quality recycling methods as part of its WEEE Regulations review.
37
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
The Government must take strong steps to overcome the problems besetting the system by mandating...
The Government must take strong steps to overcome the problems besetting the system by mandating that producers, compliance schemes, local authorities and AATF enter longer term contracts to create partnerships and longer-term certainty. It must also ensure that the market …
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Government Response
The government will explore whether a longer-term approach to the WEEE system's annual target setting would provide more certainty and investment, and will consult on such an approach as part of the WEEE Regulations review, rather than immediately mandating longer-term contracts.
39
Recommendation
Deferred
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
The Government should find ways of driving the use of more recycled materials in new...
The Government should find ways of driving the use of more recycled materials in new products. This could be done through taxes on virgin materials, or through rewarding producers that use recycled products through eco-modulated fees. (Paragraph 150) Conclusion
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of stimulating recycled material use and is considering a range of policy options, including eco-modulation, through ongoing evidence gathering and a review of the WEEE Regulations.
Correspondence 2 letters
17 Sep 2020
Apple to Chair on environmental impact of the electronics industry
Parliament page
15 Sep 2020
Chair to Apple on environmental impact of the electronics industry
Parliament page