Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy

Environmental Audit Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 13 Mar 2020 Closed: 26 Feb 2021 Parliament page
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 … Read more
29 Recommendations
14 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
2 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
26 Feb
2021
Report published
26 Nov
2020
Report published
17 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
17 Sep
2020
Correspondence
15 Sep
2020
Correspondence
16 Jul
2020
Oral evidence
25 Jun
2020
Oral evidence
11 Jun
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
17 Sep 2020
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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
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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
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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
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy HC 220 26 Nov 2020 43 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
We recommend that the Government reconsiders the use of substantiated estimates in the E-waste system...
We recommend that the Government reconsiders the use of substantiated estimates in the E-waste system when evaluating performance. (Paragraph 30) Conclusion
Government Response
The government notes the committee's concern about substantiated estimates but defends their use, explaining that they are necessary to account for white goods treated outside the formal system and help minimise burdens on businesses.
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23 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Another proposal supported by industry is a reduction in VAT on repair services from the...
Another proposal supported by industry is a reduction in VAT on repair services from the current standard rate. This is also supported by Professor Tim Cooper and is in place in a number of countries across the EU. (Paragraph 112) … Read more
Government Response
The government appreciates the rationale for reducing VAT on repairs but explicitly states there are no plans to change the VAT treatment of electronic items at present due to significant fiscal considerations and potential revenue loss.
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24 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
The UK Government should encourage repairability through reducing VAT charged on the repair of electrical...
The UK Government should encourage repairability through reducing VAT charged on the repair of electrical and electronic products. (Paragraph 112) Conclusion
Government Response
The government appreciates the rationale for reducing VAT on repairs but states there are no plans to change the VAT treatment of electronic items due to significant revenue implications and fiscal constraints.
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30 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Producers, via producer compliance schemes, should provide information to recyclers about the materials, including quantities,...
Producers, via producer compliance schemes, should provide information to recyclers about the materials, including quantities, in their products. A clear date should be set for this to be mandatory. Once the national material datahub is operational then manufacturers’ information should … Read more
Government Response
The government notes concerns about substantiated estimates but states it intends to continue using them, effectively declining to mandate that producers provide specific material information to recyclers with a clear mandatory date as recommended.
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32 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
Current recycling and recovery targets and metrics, based on weight, are not sufficient to incentivise...
Current recycling and recovery targets and metrics, based on weight, are not sufficient to incentivise the capture of valuable materials. (Paragraph 133) Recommendation 20
Government Response
The government states it does not have explicit plans to introduce further critical raw material recovery targets. However, they commit to exploring innovation such as product passports and waste tracking to enhance recycling and extraction of high value materials.
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41 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
However, due to the serious impact of E-waste on human health and the environment, both...
However, due to the serious impact of E-waste on human health and the environment, both here and overseas, and the sheer quantity potentially being exported illegally, the Environment Agency should deem all electrical and electronic exports as risky and in … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the seriousness of illegal e-waste exports, but notes the majority are already high risk and a legislation change would be required to deem all exports as such. They highlight existing POPs regulations and ongoing international work via the Basel Convention.
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42 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Electronic Waste an…
The presumption, unless proved otherwise, should be that electronics are not usable.
The presumption, unless proved otherwise, should be that electronics are not usable. All electronics should be tested and proved to work before exportation. No good should be exported that needs repair to be workable. There should be harmonisation of this … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to presume electronics are not usable and require testing before export, stating current legislation doesn't allow it and they do not want to restrict legitimate re-use. However, they will explore requirements for and review new guidance on the definition of waste regarding used equipment.
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Government Response AI assessment · 43 of 29 classified
Accepted 2
Accepted in Part 7
Acknowledged 7
Deferred 20
Rejected 7
Total 29 recs + 14 conclusions
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