Louise Grantham, chief executive of REPIC, comments: “Total household WEEE collections year to date to Q3 2021 are 374,094 tonnes, which is 74.3% of Defra’s 2021 annual WEEE collections target. The data reveals just a small drop (1.5%) in total collections between Q3 and Q2 2021 – 125,866 tonnes v 127,817 tonnes.

“Encouragingly Cooling and Display collections are ahead of the pro-rata 2021 target at 79% and 81% of the target having been collected, respectively. LHA collections are broadly equivalent to the pro-rata 2021 target at 74%. However, Small Mixed WEEE (SMW) and Gas Discharge Lamp and LED light sources (GDL) collections are below the pro-rata 2021 target. Currently at 69% and 70% respectively.

“While collections are typically lower in the last quarter of the year, the data shows promising progress to reaching the target. It currently appears that the target could be met in some categories, and just marginally missed in others. Further communication around the mandatory in-store take back of WEEE and changing the habits of those that store and hoard unwanted smaller household electricals over recycling remains a priority.

“Total EEE placed on the market in Q3 2021 is broadly equivalent to that of Q2 2021 -385,646 tonnes v 385,885 tonnes. However, it has fallen by 8% when compared to Q3 2020, when 418,036 tonnes was placed on the market.”