Inquiry re-launched after previous inquiry halted due to the general election in 2019.
The stated aim of the inquiry is to ‘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.’
It previously launched last year with 51 submissions of evidence received, but was halted due to the general election before any hearings could take place. The Committee has said the previous submissions of evidence will be carried forward, with new or additional evidence currently welcomed on the following points by 30 April 2020:
Implementing a Circular Economy for Electronic Goods
UK’s Electronic Waste Sector
The re-launched inquiry follows the news earlier this month that the UK has missed the annual WEEE collection targets for the third year in a row, by a significant margin, with compliance schemes again forced to rely on the compliance fee mechanism. A recently released government review of the regulations also highlighted the various shortcomings of the WEEE system.
Ecosurety previously submitted feedback to the original Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy inquiry with particular emphasis on improving awareness and collection infrastructure, the setting of collection targets and the shift to service-based business models. Ecosurety are also members of the WEEE Scheme Forum who have been invited to give evidence directly to government as part of the new inquiry.
Robbie Staniforth, Head of policy at Ecosurety, commented “We are pleased to see the enquiry has been brought back by the new chair. We were concerned that the effort we put into making recommendations would have been wasted due to the hiatus and changes caused by the general election.”
“The government are due to consult on the regulations by the end of this year and we hope this enquiry will help to provide ideas and options for increasing the amount of electronics recycled or reused in the UK.”
You can submit evidence by 30 April 2020 via the inquiry webpage.
Marketing projects specialist
Ben joined the team at the beginning of 2015 and helps drive marketing communications and projects for Ecosurety, including project managing the launch of the Ecosurety Exploration Fund and website content development.