On its penultimate day, the REPIC WEEE Cycle Network event was delighted to arrive at the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Marsham Street office. The momentous occasion was marked by a meeting with Recycling Minister, Rebecca Pow.

The event provided the opportunity for Defra and REPIC to reflect on their long standing working relationship and highlight what can be achieved through cross sector collaboration.

Graeme Vickery and Paul Hallett from Defra also joined the REPIC WEEE Cycle from this scheduled location to take in the ride out to BexleyHeath. They both continued on the REPIC WEEE Cycle on the final stage (Day 15) to Sittingbourne, where the ride concluded at SWEEEP Kuusakoski Gas Road electrical recycling centre.

Earlier in the day the team enjoyed the 60 mile cycle from Stevenage to Central London passing through many of the city’s parks and key landmarks.

REPIC is proud of its work over the last 15 years in supporting the development of the UK WEEE regime, including its research insights and key data analysis. Investment in key projects to maintain the scheme’s vision to be ‘leading and shaping producer responsibility, over the past 15 years, include: Dynamic WEEE model development with Lancaster University, The Carbon Footprint of WEEE postgraduate research, ProSUM – Urban Mine project, Countering WEEE Illegal Trade (CWIT) and the research led by Anthesis to develop an inventory of the different routes by which EEE and WEEE flow through the UK economy. Currently REPIC is participating in further research projects – FutuRAM, CE-RISE and CERES – all which involve collaboration with our organisations within the sector.

REPIC has additionally invested annually in consumer research and raising consumer awareness of reuse and recycling through its active role in International e-waste day. REPIC’s annual consumer research projects continue to build valuable knowledge on consumer behaviour, motivations and attitudes and the variety of different electrical products in the home today.

As market leaders REPIC shares the findings of its insights and research with Defra to broaden knowledge around electrical product flows and help inform future policy.

Louise Grantham, Chief Executive of REPIC, and cycling stages 14 and 15, commented: “The opportunity to meet with Rebecca Pow at Defra’s offices is testament to the achievement and dedication of both organisations in developing WEEE recycling in the UK as we strive towards delivering a more circular economy. We were honoured to schedule this stop into what has been an amazing 14 days.”

Graeme Vickery, Senior Policy Advisor at Defra for WEEE, added: “I am delighted to welcome team REPIC to the Defra offices. It is great to have the opportunity to look back at what the WEEE sector has achieved over the last 15 years and reflect on the work undertaken by the many different types of organisations involved. We appreciate the contribution that REPIC makes towards our shared vision of achieving a more sustainable future. It was a great to be able to take time out to mark the 15 year milestone with REPIC on the WEEE Cycle and hope the whole sector can be inspired by the positive achievements demonstrated.”

The REPIC WEEE Cycle Network event concluded on Friday 16th June when the rolling peloton of riders pulled into the 15th and final destination in Sittingbourne, Kent around midday. They completed 850 miles across 15 days and raised a total of £15k for local good causes along the way.