(Commonwealth_Europe) From today on, online marketplaces will start helping to pay for the cost of clearing away old and broken electrical items, things like washing machines, radios, and vacuum cleaners, that are dumped or left unused in our homes and on our streets. This marks a big shift in how the UK handles electrical waste, making the system fairer for local retailers and better for the planet.
Previously, UK-based companies were primarily responsible for collecting and recycling electrical waste, while overseas sellers, who frequently sell through online platforms, were completely exempt from these costs. This resulted in local businesses bearing the burden of a problem they did not initiate. But thanks to new government rules, that’s about to change.
The new system, announced by Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh, means online marketplaces must now share the responsibility. Whether it’s a broken toaster or an old fridge, these platforms will now help fund the recycling and safe disposal of electrical items they’ve helped put on the market. The objective is straightforward: to minimise waste, extend the lifespan of electronics, and ensure that those responsible for pollution contribute fairly.
Electrical waste is growing faster than any other waste stream worldwide. In the UK alone, more than 100,000 tonnes of electricals—think irons, kettles, and microwaves—end up in the bin each year. Many of these still contain valuable materials that have the potential for reuse. Too often, they’re simply thrown away, or worse, fly-tipped and left to damage our countryside and waterways.
This change is part of the government’s wider “Plan for Change,” a strategy to tackle our throwaway culture, invest in recycling infrastructure, and create green jobs. The money raised from these new requirements will go towards improving the systems we already have in place, like better collection services from local councils and more support for retailers accepting returns.
The government worked closely with online platforms and retailers to make the change happen. The hope is that by sharing responsibility fairly, we’ll see a real difference, not just for businesses, but for communities and the environment too.
Retailers like Currys have been calling for such an initiative for some time. Paula Coughlan, a senior leader at the company, said the change is a big step in the right direction. She pointed out that companies like hers already invest in schemes to give tech a second life, like their “Cash for Trash” initiative, and that there’s even more potential if everyone in the industry pulls together.
Amazon also voiced its support. Amazon’s UK Country Manager, John Boumphrey, expressed the company’s commitment to waste reduction, emphasising its focus on reselling, refurbishing, and recycling whenever feasible. He welcomed the chance to work further with the government on solutions.
Another big development is the new regulation for vapes. For the first time, they’re being treated as a separate category of electrical waste, which means vape producers will also have to help cover the costs of recycling. This is especially important because vapes often contain precious materials like lithium and copper, and right now, millions of them are being thrown away every year. According to Material Focus, the amount wasted could power more than 10,000 electric vehicles.
Following the recent ban on disposable vapes, which came into effect on 1 June, the new rules ensure that reusable vape producers also take responsibility for what happens to their products after use.
Moving forward, online marketplaces will be required to register with the Environment Agency and report on how much electrical equipment their overseas sellers are putting on the UK market. The Environment Agency will use this data to calculate the annual contribution to recycling costs.
The government has also launched a Circular Economy Taskforce to shape a national strategy for England. The aim is to keep electrical products in use longer, recycle more of what we throw away, and make sure the UK is equipped for a cleaner, greener future.
If you’re not sure what to do with your old electricals, the Recycle Your Electricals campaign from Material Focus has a handy tool that lets you search by postcode to find local recycling points. Anything with a plug, battery, or cable can be recycled; it’s just a matter of knowing where to take it.
These changes mark a turning point. By asking online marketplaces to play their part, the UK is taking a meaningful step toward a fairer, more sustainable system, one where we all do our bit to tackle waste and protect our environment for the long term.
