The latest Q3 WEEE collection data has been released, indicating the cost of living has had a big impact on the latest figures.
The Q3 collection figures, covering July to September, show that overall there has been 69% progress towards the annual target of 503,629 tonnes. A total of 118,268 tonnes of waste electricals was collected from households in Q3 of this year.
Despite a 2% increase in the amount of collections when compared to Q2, we are making slow progress to hit the annual target, especially when Q4 is a much quieter period for collections due to the Christmas break.
Only 67% of the target for volumes of WEEE collected has been reached within Category 1 (large household appliances) and Category 5 (lighting equipment). This is much lower than what we would expect at this time of the year, suggesting the UK will miss the annual target for the sixth year running.
Looking ahead
Policy advisor, Louisa Goodfellow, commented “It seems inevitable that the UK will miss its WEEE collection targets and the compliance fee used, for the sixth year.
“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. 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.”
We expect the Q4 figures to be released in March next year. It is unlikely Defra will raise the annual target due to the struggle of cost-of-living and consumers purchasing less.
If you have any questions about the collection targets, please do not hesitate to contact our team.