Online retailers and vape producers will be made to contribute their "fair share" for electrical waste recycling under new proposals from the UK government.

The government’s environmental department said that the new measures will level the playing field as UK-based firms are currently paying for the majority of costs associated with the collection and processing of electronic waste, leaving them at a disadvantage.

Under the plans, online marketplaces will need to register with the Environment Agency and report data on UK sales of their overseas sellers.

The government said it will use the data to calculate the financial contribution online marketplaces make towards the costs of collection and treatment of waste electricals that are collected by local authorities and returned to retailers.

The cost of the annual registration will be subject to a consultation led by the Environment Agency.

Waste electricals are difficult to recycle, with improper disposal of components and chemicals posing a potential health and safety risk to the waste industry.

Research from Material Focus estimates that British households incorrectly throw away over 100,000 tonnes of smaller household electrical items, such as kettles and lamps, every year.
Additionally, an estimated 880 million unwanted items containing valuable commodities such as gold and platinum, are abandoned or ignored in the back of the UK’s cupboards and drawers.

“Electrical equipment like vapes are being sold in the UK by producers who are failing to pay their fair share when recycling and reusing of dealing with old or broken items,” said circular economy minister Mary Creagh. “Today we’re ending this: creating a level playing field for all producers of electronics, to ensure fairness and fund the cost of the treatment of waste electricals.”

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