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Agenda item

Dealing with E-Waste - Mer-IT

Minutes:

The committee received a presentation on dealing with E-Waste from MER-IT.

 

The United Kingdom was on track to become the worst offender of electronic waste globally, with only 30% of electronics being recycled. One of the main reasons for this was the lack of infrastructure, including limited drop-off points, home collection services, and inadequate information on data wiping. Many people hoarded their electronics, either due to repair costs, uncertainty about disposal, or the belief that old devices might have future value. Emotional attachment, such as holding onto a broken phone with irreplaceable photos, also contributed to the issue. Furthermore, people often felt their old devices had financial value, even though the market value had decreased significantly. As a result, much of the waste was stored in homes until it became obsolete or too small to repair, eventually ending up in landfills.

The problem was also exacerbated by the scale of the issue, with large recycling organisations overwhelmed by the sheer volume of electronic waste. Despite some investment in CO2 capture, the budget allocated for repair and reuse efforts was significantly smaller. The lack of a clear definition of what constitutes electronic waste made it difficult to assess the value of different devices, further complicating recycling efforts. Proposals to grade electronic waste based on factors like repairability, recycling value, and environmental impact were introduced, suggesting that devices should be valued according to their potential for reuse or recycling, rather than just their monetary worth.

 

Another significant barrier to repair and reuse was the financial viability of repairs. The cost of spare parts often exceeded the price of a new device, making repair economically unfeasible for consumers. The repair market was also fragmented, with competition among shops leading to a lack of transparency about the use of refurbished parts. A system was proposed where refurbished parts would be standardised and valued appropriately. Additionally, the idea of turning electronic waste into currency was suggested, where people could exchange old electronics for credits towards new devices, thus incentivising recycling and repair. Lastly, the need for a centralised platform was emphasised, where consumers could track the environmental impact and financial value of their old devices, with a voucher system supporting the process.

 

In conclusion, a more generalised and community-cantered approach to electronic waste management was recommended. This approach could involve designing a platform with input from younger generations, as they were the primary users of technology. The platform would allow people to trade in old devices for vouchers that could be used for purchases, promoting a circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of electronic waste.

 

The issue of electronic waste was raised by residents, with many unsure of how to dispose of or repair old electronics, often resulting in these items being stored in homes. One suggestion was for the council to collect more waste items in specific categories, such as mobile phones, and focus on improving recycling efforts. Another proposal was to set up repair cafes to help people extend the life of their devices. However, there were concerns about the economic viability of repairs, with the cost of spare parts often exceeding the price of new products. Some also wondered if a supply chain solution, involving trusted recyclers and businesses, could address the problem on a larger scale.

 

In response, it was emphasised that while council involvement is essential, a community-driven approach would be more effective in creating lasting change. A potential pilot programme was suggested in the Nags Head area, which already faced the impacts of climate change. This programme would involve community centres where people could drop off old electronics and receive vouchers in return, which could be used for shopping or purchasing repaired items. Repair parties could also be organised by repair shops to help build relationships between the community and local businesses. However, concerns were raised about the sustainability of vouchers and the role of companies in addressing e-waste.

 

Several ideas were proposed, including the potential to use the community's involvement alongside policies to help reduce waste. It was suggested that companies should be held accountable for managing the disposal of their products, and the idea of transforming old electronics into art was introduced as an alternative solution.