Recommendations & Conclusions
20 items
3
Conclusion
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
Targets for producer compliance schemes have been missed over recent years. For 2020 the target has been brought down to match the actual amount collected in 2019 due to the impact of Covid-19. Targets are set annually, which prevents all parties in the system from investing in long term collection …
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Targets for producer compliance schemes have been missed over recent years. For 2020 the target has been brought down to match the actual amount collected in 2019 due to the impact of Covid-19. Targets are set annually, which prevents all parties in the system from investing in long term collection and treatment. (Paragraph 36) Recommendation 2
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's point regarding short-term targets and their impact on long-term planning for WEEE collection. They commit to exploring this issue in depth during a review of current regulations and will seek views and evidence as part of a consultation later this …
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4
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
DEFRA must set long term targets that align with existing commitments like zero waste to landfill. The targets should have milestones at clear intervals, to allow certainty for businesses and investors. They must be set using independently verified data not self-reported data. It must be clear that these are collection …
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DEFRA must set long term targets that align with existing commitments like zero waste to landfill. The targets should have milestones at clear intervals, to allow certainty for businesses and investors. They must be set using independently verified data not self-reported data. It must be clear that these are collection targets for both re-use and recycling to prevent recycling being prioritised over keeping valuable EEE in circulation—an area we will return to later in this report. (Paragraph 37) Conclusion
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's recommendation for long-term targets and the case for certainty for businesses and investors. However, they will explore this issue in more depth and seek views as part of a review of current regulations and a consultation later this year.
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5
Conclusion
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
Our inquiry has heard that making official collection routes for the public easy and consistent is key to ensuring products are correctly re-used, repaired and recycled. Retailer take-back is an effective method, so we welcome the Government requirement for large physical retailers to offer this service. However, this further tilts …
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Our inquiry has heard that making official collection routes for the public easy and consistent is key to ensuring products are correctly re-used, repaired and recycled. Retailer take-back is an effective method, so we welcome the Government requirement for large physical retailers to offer this service. However, this further tilts an unequal playing fields away from physical stores towards online retailers and marketplaces who do not have this obligation. (Paragraph 68) Recommendation 3
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Government response AI summary
The government thanks the Committee for highlighting the need for enhanced retailer obligations and parity between online and physical sellers. They confirm this is a key area for reform and will consult on proposals as part of the review of WEEE Regulations, drawing on principles …
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6
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
Our high streets are under severe pressure and current regulations, coming into force from 2021, could unfairly entrench the competitive advantage of online retailers and 60 Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy marketplaces like Amazon. As a matter of urgency and at the latest by the end of 2021 online …
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Our high streets are under severe pressure and current regulations, coming into force from 2021, could unfairly entrench the competitive advantage of online retailers and 60 Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy marketplaces like Amazon. As a matter of urgency and at the latest by the end of 2021 online retailers and marketplaces must have an equal obligation to collect electronic waste from customers. (Paragraph 68) Recommendation 4
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need for parity in obligations for online sellers and marketplaces, stating that ongoing work for Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging will inform the review of WEEE Regulations, on which they will consult.
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7
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
To prevent a potential loophole with take-back being offered only at remote, inconvenient warehouses, the regulations should follow the exemplary innovation shown by AO.com and DixonsCarphone. Online retailers and marketplaces for electrical and electronic equipment must arrange and pay for the collection of like-for- like electronics from customer’s homes on …
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To prevent a potential loophole with take-back being offered only at remote, inconvenient warehouses, the regulations should follow the exemplary innovation shown by AO.com and DixonsCarphone. Online retailers and marketplaces for electrical and electronic equipment must arrange and pay for the collection of like-for- like electronics from customer’s homes on delivery of new electronics. They must also offer to collect any electronic waste defined as “small” at the same time. (Paragraph 69) Conclusion
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need to enhance retailer obligations and ensure parity for online sellers, highlighting this as a key area for reform; they will consult on proposals for these changes as part of the WEEE Regulations review.
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8
Conclusion
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
A mixture of collection types is needed to tackle the significant E-waste collection challenges. As well as Retailer Take-back, kerbside collection has been shown to be very effective and easy for the public to hand-over their electronics cost-effectively and with limited damage to the environment. (Paragraph 70) Recommendation 5
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A mixture of collection types is needed to tackle the significant E-waste collection challenges. As well as Retailer Take-back, kerbside collection has been shown to be very effective and easy for the public to hand-over their electronics cost-effectively and with limited damage to the environment. (Paragraph 70) Recommendation 5
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Government response AI summary
The government recognises the importance of robust collection infrastructure, including kerbside collections, and is exploring options for rolling these out. They will consult on these proposals as part of the WEEE Regulations review.
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9
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
The Government must make this mandatory for local authorities, with the cost paid for by producers and those smaller retailers or online marketplaces still exempt from collecting E-waste directly from the public. (Paragraph 70) Conclusion
Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of robust collection infrastructure and is exploring options for kerbside collections and enhanced retailer obligations. They will consult on these options as part of a review of WEEE Regulations later this year.
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10
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
An Extended Producer Responsibility scheme could be used to incentivise the very best practice in circular low-carbon product design. However, care must be taken to put circular economy principles at the heart of the policy and efforts made to harmonise it with wider efforts internationally. In any future producer responsibility …
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An Extended Producer Responsibility scheme could be used to incentivise the very best practice in circular low-carbon product design. However, care must be taken to put circular economy principles at the heart of the policy and efforts made to harmonise it with wider efforts internationally. In any future producer responsibility system online marketplaces like Amazon should be responsible for ensuring that all EEE that is sold on their platforms is fully compliant with the law. Furthermore, producers should be required to pay exactly the same fees and follow the same rules selling online as they do offline. (Paragraph 71) Recommendation 6
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the recommendation to enhance retailer obligations and ensure parity for online sellers, stating these principles will form an important part of the upcoming review of WEEE Regulations and will be subject to consultation.
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11
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
In any future producer responsibility system online marketplaces like Amazon should be responsible for ensuring that all EEE that is sold on their platforms is fully compliant with the law. Furthermore, producers should be required to pay exactly the same fees and follow the same rules selling online as they …
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In any future producer responsibility system online marketplaces like Amazon should be responsible for ensuring that all EEE that is sold on their platforms is fully compliant with the law. Furthermore, producers should be required to pay exactly the same fees and follow the same rules selling online as they do offline. The Government should explain how it will address all of these concerns when it publishes its consultation on new E-waste regulations in 2021. (Paragraph 71) Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy 61 Preventing E-waste and Using Resource Better Conclusion
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need for parity in obligations for online sellers and marketplaces, stating that ongoing work for Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging will inform the review of WEEE Regulations, on which they will consult.
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17
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
Minister Pow MP indicated that the Government is looking into enhancing and extending the minimum guarantees on electronic products, including software. We support this proposal and urge the Government to bring this forward with the aim of removing electronics with unduly short lives from the market. The expected lifetime label …
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Minister Pow MP indicated that the Government is looking into enhancing and extending the minimum guarantees on electronic products, including software. We support this proposal and urge the Government to bring this forward with the aim of removing electronics with unduly short lives from the market. The expected lifetime label must be linked to the minimum lifespan guarantee. Particular attention must be paid to where the burden of proof lies between consumers and producers. (Paragraph 94) 62 Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy Recommendation 10
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of Ecodesign and consumer information to combat planned obsolescence. They refer to past consultations on Ecodesign Regulations and state they will explore applying eco-modulation principles within the WEEE system review to incentivise better Ecodesign.
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25
Conclusion
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
Producers, local authorities and recyclers have little or no incentive to re-use products over recycling them. (Paragraph 116) Recommendation 15
Government response AI summary
The government recognizes the importance of reuse and commits to exploring the feasibility of measures, including reuse targets and modulated financial obligations under the WEEE Regulations, and will consult on policy proposals to this effect.
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26
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
The Government must increase the incentives for re-use so that all parties benefit from further re-use, in particularly making re-use evidence worth more than recycling evidence. (Paragraph 116) Conclusion
Government response AI summary
The government committed in its Resources and Waste Strategy to explore measures for increased reuse in its WEEE Regulations review. It is discussing with stakeholders and will fully explore the role of reuse targets, modulating financial obligations, and other policy proposals, which will be part …
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27
Conclusion
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
Some countries set re-use targets for electronics, such as Spain and Belgium. (Paragraph 117) Recommendation 16
Government response AI summary
The government recognizes the importance of encouraging reuse and commits to fully exploring the potential role of reuse targets, including how they should be defined and monitored, as part of its review of the WEEE Regulations, and will consult on policy proposals.
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28
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
The UK Government should set similar re-use targets for producer compliance schemes, with penalties levied when targets are missed. These targets must be set long term and ratchet over time to give the industry clarity and time to prepare. (Paragraph 117) Recycling Recommendation 17
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The UK Government should set similar re-use targets for producer compliance schemes, with penalties levied when targets are missed. These targets must be set long term and ratchet over time to give the industry clarity and time to prepare. (Paragraph 117) Recycling Recommendation 17
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Government response AI summary
The government recognises the importance of reuse and committed to exploring the feasibility of measures to encourage it within the WEEE Regulations review. They will fully explore the potential role of reuse targets and consult on policy proposals.
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29
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
Manufacturers of electronics must ensure that their products are recyclable and dismantlable by waste treatment operators. The Government must apply incentives, potentially through the extended producer responsibility scheme, for the design of products that are easy to recycle. (Paragraph 126) Recommendation 18
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Manufacturers of electronics must ensure that their products are recyclable and dismantlable by waste treatment operators. The Government must apply incentives, potentially through the extended producer responsibility scheme, for the design of products that are easy to recycle. (Paragraph 126) Recommendation 18
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to exploring the application of eco-modulation within the WEEE system to incentivize manufacturers to design more sustainable, durable, repairable, and recyclable electrical products, and will consult on its practical introduction as part of the WEEE Regulations review.
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31
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
We recommend that the Government fast-tracks the national materials datahub to track critical raw materials in the UK. The aspects that focus on critical raw materials, E-waste and toxic chemicals should be operational by 2023. (Paragraph 128) 64 Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy
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We recommend that the Government fast-tracks the national materials datahub to track critical raw materials in the UK. The aspects that focus on critical raw materials, E-waste and toxic chemicals should be operational by 2023. (Paragraph 128) 64 Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy
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Government response AI summary
The government recognizes the value of a National Materials Datahub but states the project is currently on hold. Discussions are underway to establish future demand and funding options, indicating a deferral of the recommendation to fast-track its implementation by 2023.
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34
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
Recycling methods covered by Best Available Treatment Recovery and Recycling Techniques, and recycling and recovery targets must be ambitious with a shift away from recovery towards high-quality recycling. There must be a clearly defined and communicated long-term pathway, with milestones, showing when and how E-waste treatment centres must improve their …
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Recycling methods covered by Best Available Treatment Recovery and Recycling Techniques, and recycling and recovery targets must be ambitious with a shift away from recovery towards high-quality recycling. There must be a clearly defined and communicated long-term pathway, with milestones, showing when and how E-waste treatment centres must improve their recycling of E-waste to capture as many materials as possible and remove toxic chemicals. This clear pathway will allow businesses to raise finance and invest in advance to reach these mandatory targets. (Paragraph 134) Recommendation 22
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Government response AI summary
The government states that a shift to higher-quality recycling would require more challenging targets. They note that existing Best Available Treatment (BAT) and Best Available Treatment Recovery and Recycling Techniques (BATRRT) standards are being reviewed, with new enhanced guidance planned for consultation in early 2021.
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36
Conclusion
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
The current short-term and transactional nature of the electronic waste system is not delivering the high-quality and high-capacity recycling this country needs if it is to reach a circular economy and extract the full benefits to jobs and the economy of the precious and valuable materials currently being lost. (Paragraph …
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The current short-term and transactional nature of the electronic waste system is not delivering the high-quality and high-capacity recycling this country needs if it is to reach a circular economy and extract the full benefits to jobs and the economy of the precious and valuable materials currently being lost. (Paragraph 147) Recommendation 23
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Government response AI summary
The government notes concerns about the short-term nature of the WEEE system and will explore and consult on a longer-term approach to promote certainty and investment in higher quality recycling methods as part of its WEEE Regulations review.
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37
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
The Government must take strong steps to overcome the problems besetting the system by mandating that producers, compliance schemes, local authorities and AATF enter longer term contracts to create partnerships and longer-term certainty. It must also ensure that the market is regulated to a high-enough standard to prevent unscrupulous operators. …
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The Government must take strong steps to overcome the problems besetting the system by mandating that producers, compliance schemes, local authorities and AATF enter longer term contracts to create partnerships and longer-term certainty. It must also ensure that the market is regulated to a high-enough standard to prevent unscrupulous operators. (Paragraph 147) Conclusion
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Government response AI summary
The government will explore whether a longer-term approach to the WEEE system's annual target setting would provide more certainty and investment, and will consult on such an approach as part of the WEEE Regulations review, rather than immediately mandating longer-term contracts.
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39
Recommendation
First Report - Electronic Waste and the…
Deferred
The Government should find ways of driving the use of more recycled materials in new products. This could be done through taxes on virgin materials, or through rewarding producers that use recycled products through eco-modulated fees. (Paragraph 150) Conclusion
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The Government should find ways of driving the use of more recycled materials in new products. This could be done through taxes on virgin materials, or through rewarding producers that use recycled products through eco-modulated fees. (Paragraph 150) Conclusion
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of stimulating recycled material use and is considering a range of policy options, including eco-modulation, through ongoing evidence gathering and a review of the WEEE Regulations.
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