Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling 101: everything you need to know

Discover the truth about e-waste: common questions answered 

Did you know that electronic waste (e-waste) has become the most rapidly growing waste problem in the world?

Worldwide we generate around 50 million tons of it every year. No matter how well we think we are doing, we can all reduce waste, take steps to help save the planet and keep the water that my family and I drink from free from dangerous materials. Here I answer some of the common questions that customers ask when considering a recycling and data destruction solution. Hopefully this will help inform your decisions and allow you to choose the best option for your organisation.

What is e-waste?

E-waste refers to any broken or unwanted electronic device that’s been or to be discarded. This includes corporate equipment such as tablets, laptops, printers, keyboards, mobiles, computer monitors and consumer equipment such as everything from your fridge to your hairdryer.

Why is e-waste a growing problem?

Every year millions of electrical and electronic devices are discarded as products break or reach their end-of-life. E-waste contains extremely toxic materials such as lead and mercury that, if not disposed of correctly, can seep into the environment that we all live in, which can have potentially disastrous consequences.

Why should my organisation recycle old electronics?

Recycling old electronics prevents harmful materials ending up in landfill, causing damage to the environment. WEEE complaint recycling ensures that equipment is handled safely and correctly, mitigating the risk to human health and the environment. Recycling also facilitates the recovery and reuse of valuable materials such as copper and gold for future devices, so it’s win-win! As an added bonus to you, recycling your e-waste contributes to your ESG objectives and the UK government’s net zero strategy.

How can e-waste recycling help my business?

Recycling e-waste can help your business by ensuring compliance, protecting your data, and returning financial benefit back to you.

As well as complying with environmental regulations like the Environment Act 2021, many examples of e-waste hold sensitive data. E-waste recycling ensures secure data destruction in compliance with the Data protection Act, minimising the risk of data breaches or legal issues from dormant hardware. There are also financial benefits, as you can recover valuable materials that can be reused or sold to make new devices.

How much e-waste is currently recycled?

Less than 20%² of the e-waste generated each year is properly recycled. This enables valuable materials within discarded electronics to end up in landfill when they could be being recycled and used for future devices.

How valuable are the reusable materials that could be recovered from e-waste?

Here in the UK, it is estimated that £148 million worth of valuable materials could be recovered from the e-waste that we dispose of every year if the correct recycling processes are followed. These materials include gold, silver and palladium and are found in electrical equipment such as circuit boards and laptops.

Are there any new e-waste legislations to be aware of?

Yes, there are! In a bid to enhance environmental sustainability and promote responsible waste management practices, the UK is set to implement digital waste tracking regulations in April 2025. This legislation aims to bring about significant change and improve the way waste is monitored and managed, providing increased visibility throughout the waste management process.

When is the right time to recycle used and unwanted electronics?

We recommend that you recycle or dispose of your unwanted electronics as soon as you no longer need them, or upgrade to a new model. Electronic depreciation happens fast, so it’s best to act quickly when recycling your devices to ensure you can get residual value back from your investments.

Who can you trust to support with your e-waste recycling?

Wavenet offer a fully certified IT equipment disposal and data destruction service. Ensuring that reuse, recycle, or disposal of any equipment is in line with your unique asset lifecycle requirements.

To find out more, call us on 0344 863 3000 or email us at enquiries@wavenet.co.uk