WEEE Recycling Rates Fall Amid Growing Cost Of Living Crisis

There are fears the ongoing cost of living crisis may impact on recycling rates of waste electricals and electronic equipment (WEEE). Let’s Recycle reports that the latest data on collection rates from UK households shows a decrease in collections for the third quarter of the year, compared to the same time last year. 

Louise Grantham, chief executive of WEEE producer compliance scheme REPIC, commented that it “seems unlikely” the targets will be met because collections in the fourth quarter of the year tend to be lower, especially this year “with the impact the cost of living crisis has had, and is expected to continue to have, on the amount of EEE placed on the market.”

She added: “Whilst there is not always a direct causal link between WEEE collections and EEE placed on the market, the impact on disposable income is likely to make householders more cautious in both their spending and disposal decisions.”

She continued: “If compliance schemes are unable to meet their targets through collection, a compliance fee methodology that reflects the impact of the current very difficult market conditions will be important if we are to avoid undue financial burden on producers, and ultimately the consumer.”

Louisa Goodfellow, policy advisor at producer compliance scheme Ecosurety, echoed Ms Grantham’s fears.  She said: “Although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why under 70% of the target has been achieved by Q3, it’s likely partly due to current inflationary pressures and energy prices affecting transport and treatment costs.” 

She continued: “Furthermore, the increased cost of living on consumers can already be seen in this year’s lowered placed on market figures, so it makes sense that the availability and collection of goods such as large household appliances has followed suit.”

The world faces a growing mountain of WEEE, as many products are manufactured with built-in obsolescence dates, and tech firms routinely update their software on an annual basis. Methods of collection and recycling are still patchy in many countries, leading to wasted resources, and the potential for environmental damage through toxic leaks. 

Meanwhile, Materials Focus has launched an £2.5m Electricals Recycling Fund, to support projects which make it easier for the public to recycle WEEE. Materials Recycling World reports that the scheme will make use of existing infrastructure, as well as supporting new methods of recycling small electrical items. 

Executive director Scott Butler said: “This fund provides an exciting opportunity to make it easier for millions more people to recycle electricals from their doorsteps, and to test innovative ways to tackle one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the UK and globally.”

According to the organisation, UK households discard 155,000 tonnes of WEEE annually, which contain valuable and finite metals such as silver, copper, gold, and aluminium. Individuals are not able to apply to the scheme, but it is open to local authorities, waste contractors, retailers, and non-profits.

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MATT BEVERLEY

A time served Mechanical engineer Matt’s background includes many high-profile projects within the Automotive Industry: The Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, Spyker Le-Mans racing teams, Bentley, Aston Martin, and Airbus A380. This history and knowledge of complex manufacturing and engineering projects have been transferred and further developed into the bulk material handling sector. Matt has work in Europe, North America, Indonesia, and China

He joined the bulk solids and bulk handling industry in 2019 as Managing Director of Hoverdale UK Ltd and subsequently completed a Management buyout in July 2020. The business has grown yearly, increased employment, its customer base, and worldwide reputation, and disrupted the market with groundbreaking innovative technology. Since Matt took over Hoverdale, the company has filed four patents for innovation; one was granted in 2023 for a design to improve bulk handling. The success had been driven by delivering tailored solutions to the waste recycling sectors that keep material flowing out and money flowing in.

Awards Include

  • 2024 – Shapa company of the Year
  • 2024- Shapa Innovation in Technology
  • 2024- MHEA Engineer of the year
  • 2021 – MHEA Innovation of the year
  • 2021- IMechE Innovation award

Current Positions Include.

  • Group Chairman Hoverdale UK Ltd
  • President (MHEA) Material Handling Engineers Association
  • Vice Chairman: IMechE Bulk Material Handling Committee
  • Council Member: (SHAPA) Solids Handling & Particle Association
  • Member: Chartered Management Institute

Matt has been happily married to Julie for 22 years and has 4 children, 3 of which are involved within the Hoverdale group of companies. He is an RFU level 2 qualified coach and referee having been in several head coaching roles at various age groups from under 6’s to adults for his local team Nuneaton RFC. He believes in the core values that rugby teaches of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship and try’s to carry this through in his day to day business activities. He is passionate at brining the next generation of young, diverse engineers into the sector through promotion of apprenticeship scheme and further education routes.

DAVID BARTER

David is an experienced leader, with a background covering Operations, eCommerce, Finance, Compliance, HR and IT. His career spans Banking, Retail and Engineering, spending the majority of his career working for ALDI as they grew to become 4th largest supermarket in the UK, including seven years on their UK board as Managing Director of IT and eCommerce.

David joined Hoverdale’s Senior Management Team in 2023 to seek a fresh challenge in a completely different industry sector. He has applied his approach to Process Improvement, Efficiency, Customer Service and Teamwork to great effect during Hoverdale’s sustained growth.

Married to Jane, with three adult sons between them, David volunteers on the board of the Nottingham Playhouse theatre as well as his local rugby and football clubs. Any spare time he spends enjoying walks with their Golden Retriever, Buzz, who is also regularly seen in the Hoverdale office.

BEN DUCHESNE

Ben is a time serviced field service engineer in the busy waste and recycling sector, who’s career moved into to managing service teams and beyond. Originally beginning his career with a HGV repair and maintenance apprenticeship with IVECO, from there travelling and working in multiple countries moving towards waste processing shredders.

Ben joined the Hoverdale team in September 2024 seeking to apply his extensive knowledge to a new area. His values and ethics fit perfectly within the Hoverdale ethos.

He is happily married to Kristina, with 4 wonderful young children; 14, 11, 8 and 5. We the children he doesn’t get much spare time. He is a family man, who enjoys spending as much time with them as possible.