Committees

Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy

Inquiry

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 inquiry in the previous Parliament will be carried forward, but the Committee welcomes any additional written evidence on some, or all, of the following points:

Implementing a Circular Economy for Electronic Goods

  • What steps are being taken to move towards a circular economy for electronic goods? How can the UK Government support this transition?
  • What is the environmental and human health risk from e-waste? How significant is it and who is most at risk?
  • How can secondary markets for electrical goods be improved? What incentives are required to implement these markets?
  • Why does recovering materials from electronic waste pose a significant challenge? What support is required to facilitate the adoption of recovery technologies?

UK’s Electronic Waste Sector

  • Are UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) collection targets achievable? What challenges do UK producer compliance schemes and WEEE reprocessors face in meeting the collection targets?
  • What causes fraud in the UK’s e-waste system? How can this be addressed?
  • What action can the UK Government take to prevent to the illegal export of e-waste to the developing world?
  • What proposals does the UK Government need to consider as part of its consultation on WEEE?
  • Is UK public awareness of e-waste recycling satisfactory? If not, how can it be improved?

Read the call for evidence for more information about this inquiry.

Read an interactive summary of our report.

Work news

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Online giants and tech powerhouses in eye of the storm as UK battles e-waste tsunami
Companies such as Amazon and Apple must take more responsibility to help collect, recycle and repair products which are contributing to 155,000 tonnes of waste electricals ending up in UK household bins every year, MPs argue.
26 November 2020
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Apple refusal to respond to EAC on environmental sustainability and repairability of its products
Apple refuses to answer MPs’ questions on environmental sustainability and repairability of its products
15 September 2020
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Minister questioned on Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy
Environmental Audit Committee hears from DEFRA Minister as it concludes its inquiry on Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy
14 September 2020
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Tech companies quizzed on the environmental impact of their products
Environmental Audit Committee seek to understand more about how products can be reused or recycled
10 July 2020
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Comment: Material Focus research on electronic waste
Chair comments on Material Focus' research on potential economic savings to be made if UK residents recycled old electronics
24 June 2020
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EAC to hold its second public evidence session on e-waste
Committee to hold second public session on part of its inquiry on e-waste
22 June 2020
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Organisations involved in collecting and processing e-waste questioned
The Environmental Audit Committee examines electronic waste and the circular economy
8 June 2020
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MPs relaunch Electronic Waste & the Circular Economy inquiry
The Environmental Audit Committee has re-launched an inquiry into Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy, looking at how the UK can get to grips with the fastest growing category of waste in the world.
13 March 2020
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