The introduction of ‘matching’ could bring benefits to the UK’s waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) system, according to research commissioned by Material Focus.
Matching, also known as allocation, refers to an administrative process used across Europe that instructs producer compliance schemes to collect WEEE from various sources at a level equivalent to their producer members’ combined market share.
The not-for-profit organisation says the research will “support” Defra’s upcoming consultation on the UK’s WEEE regulations, which is expected in June.
It is an alternative to the current approach in the UK, where compliance schemes competitively tender for access to some or all designated collection facilities.
Conducted by consultancy Oakdene Hollins with the support of the WEEE Forum international trade association, the research suggests matching could remove the “economic distortions” that arise from the current approach due to the differences in the nature and costs of collecting WEEE from designated collection facilities across the UK.
While matching would not in itself increase WEEE collections, Material Focus says, it could be a foundation for wider reforms to the UK WEEE system.
Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, said: “We hope [this research] will help inform stakeholders as they develop their responses to the upcoming and eagerly awaited Defra consultation on the UK WEEE system.”
Funded by the WEEE compliance fee, Material Focus runs the UK-wide Recycle Your Electricals campaign.
URL: ‘Matching’ could benefit UK WEEE system, research suggests – letsrecycle.com
