The growing challenge of e-waste and the path toward a circular economy
Guest blog by Lauren Gillespie, Ethics Advisor at Zero Tech Waste #techUKSocialValueWeek
Lauren Gillespie
Ethics Advisor, Zero Tech Waste
Tackling the fastest growing waste stream: e-waste
E-waste — unwanted or broken electrical and electronic equipment with a plug, cord, or battery — is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. In the UK, only around one-third of e-waste is properly collected and recycled. The result is a growing environmental and ethical issue that affects businesses, households, and communities alike.
Historically, a large portion of e-waste has been exported, often to developing nations lacking the infrastructure to handle it safely. These shipments frequently lead to environmental contamination — polluting air, soil, and water — and pose serious health risks to workers and local communities.
In recent years, the UK government has taken steps to address this issue, tightening regulations on illegal e-waste exports. New and more robust legislation continues to be introduced, including updates as recently as January 1st, 2025.
Embracing a circular approach to electronics
Alongside these regulatory efforts, momentum is building around the concept of a circular economy. While the 2020 parliamentary inquiry into electronic waste and circular practices laid an early foundation, progress remained slow — until recently. Over the past six months, the conversation has gained renewed energy, with growing attention from policymakers and the media alike. And with good reason: the circular economy represents one of the most effective ways to tackle the e-waste crisis.
At its core, a circular economy is a closed-loop system. Products are designed to last, and instead of being discarded, they are repaired, reused, or recycled — preserving valuable materials and reducing overall waste. It’s a clear shift away from the traditional ‘take, make, dispose’ model, and it brings with it environmental, economic, and social benefits — especially important in densely populated nations like the UK.
But not all circular solutions are created equal. Processes such as shredding and granulation — which break products down into raw materials for remanufacturing — technically fit within the circular model. Yet they carry a larger carbon footprint and often result in the loss of valuable materials. In contrast, reuse and refurbishment keep products in circulation for longer and significantly reduce environmental impact.
Going above compliance in IT recycling
Over time, regulations surrounding Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) have become increasingly strict. There are many IT recycling companies who provide recycling solutions to businesses who all operate within the legislation and regulations. But the most forward-thinking go well beyond legal requirements — particularly in areas like environmental protection and data security. The best providers prioritise refurbishment, offer certified data destruction, and implement added safeguards such as employing fully DBS-checked staff. While legislation sets the baseline; it’s these value-driven businesses that lead the way in creating genuine social and environmental impact.
Government policy has encouraged an increase in ethically recycled WEEE within the business-to-business e-waste sector. However, household e-waste remains a largely unsolved challenge. One key reason is economics: businesses often generate high volumes of relatively modern equipment in short bursts and are legally required to demonstrate compliance. In contrast, household collections are typically low-volume, inconsistent, and commercially less viable.
As a result, many households are left with limited — and often inconvenient — options for recycling. Municipal recycling centres do exist, but they aren’t always accessible, particularly for those without a car or with large quantities of old electronics. Smaller devices, viewed as disposable, are frequently thrown away. An estimated 880 million pieces of IT equipment are currently sitting unused in UK homes, while nearly half a million small electronics end up in landfill each year. At the heart of this problem is a lack of simple, visible recycling options.
Household e-waste the overlooked challenge
The good news is that progress is happening. Government initiatives like the Right to Repair rules and take-back schemes are making it easier to recycle and extend the life of electronics. Some councils now point residents toward local repair services, reuse shops, and household recycling schemes. Still, many rely solely on centralised drop-off points, where equipment is often collected for granulation — wasting opportunities for meaningful reuse.
Behind the most impactful repair and reuse efforts, you’ll often find individuals and organisations driven not by policy, but by purpose. They care about the environment, support their communities, and offer practical solutions to a growing problem.
Ultimately, government legislation plays an important role in setting standards — but real progress comes from the people and organisations who go beyond compliance. And those 880 million forgotten devices in drawers across the UK? They're not there because people don’t care. They're there because recycling is still too inconvenient. The solutions exist — now we need to elevate the right voices, ask the right questions, and remove the barriers that prevent action.
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Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!
Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.
When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman is a Junior Programme Manager in the Central Government Programme at techUK.
He supports the programme’s mission to represent the technology supplier community to the UK government and advocate for digital innovation to address public sector challenges. Charles helps facilitate market engagement, foster partnerships, and ensure that tech suppliers and the government work collaboratively to improve outcomes, deliver value for money, and enhance public services for citizens.
Before joining techUK, Charles gained significant experience in research, analysis, and strategic advisory roles. At H/Advisors Cicero, he specialised in public affairs and corporate communications, while at Verdantix, he supported sustainability research and advisory projects, focusing on regulatory and environmental challenges.
Charles holds an MSc in Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MA in Medieval History from King’s College London.
Charles enjoys volunteering with a think tank, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dog and family outside of work.
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy Modha
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
