Work to do to meet WEEE recycling targets in 2021

A number of industry experts have expressed their concern about being able to successfully meet this year’s WEEE recycling targets.

On June 1, the Environment Agency published current data about the period from January to March this year, which detailed the amount of WEEE recycling that was successfully collected from households.

2021’s targets were a significant step up from what was achieved last year. This year’s WEEE targets were to collect 503,629 tonnes of recycling from households. This is a 9% rise from what was achieved last year (460,134 tonnes).

WEEE Recycling Targets

Over the past four years, the WEEE recycling targets have consistently not been achieved. However, despite this, the trend shown in Q1 for this year is certainly hopeful – fingers crossed that fifth time’s the charm.

In fact, in Q1, 23.8% of 2021’s WEEE recycling target was met. Although this is a step in the right direction, we will need to pick up the pace. For sure, more will need to be done to successfully hit the full target.

According to this data, the areas that were shown to be the weakest were gas discharge lamps and small household appliances. If the volume of WEEE recycling in these areas was improved, we will be far more likely to hit 2021’s targets.

In an interview with letsrecycle.com, Vikkie Fitzgerald from Clarity Environmental stated that: “In comparison to the data from the same period in 2020, it is clear there is much work to be done to meet targets this year, especially amongst the usual suspects – small mixed WEEE, cooling and lamps.

It is also important to note that this data does show some cause for celebration. After the havoc of the pandemic last year, and the closing of businesses across the country, it is impressive that we are on track to meet this ambitious target.