Nearly half a billion small electrical items, known as “Fast Tech,” were thrown away in the UK last year, making them the fastest-growing e-waste type. These items include cables, lights, mini fans, and disposable vapes. Despite containing valuable raw materials such as copper wires and lithium batteries, they are often seen as disposable due to their low cost. Material Focus, a not-for-profit group, conducted a survey revealing that 471 million “Fast Tech” items were discarded, emphasizing the need for better recycling practices. Although recycling rates have increased, there is still a significant amount of unused electrical items in households that could be put to better use. It is important to raise awareness about the recyclability of these items and provide accessible recycling options to prevent further e-waste accumulation.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Tech items are fastest-growing e-waste type | Increase in e-waste from small electricals | Increase in awareness and recycling | Consumer demand for cheap and disposable items |
| 471m “Fast Tech” items thrown away in the UK | High volume of e-waste disposal | Increased recycling rates | Lack of awareness about recycling options |
| Average home has 30 unused electrical items | Accumulation of unused electronics | Minimal accumulation of unused electronics | Shift towards more sustainable consumption habits |
| Valuable raw materials in small tech items | Potential for resource recovery through recycling | Increased resource recovery through recycling | Sustainability and circular economy goals |
| Worldwide, consumers throw away 9 billion kg of e-waste | Global issue of e-waste disposal | Improved e-waste management and recycling programs globally | Lack of awareness and proper disposal options |
| Decrease in electrical waste since 2017 | Reduction in electrical waste | Continued reduction in electrical waste | Improved recycling infrastructure and regulations |
| 60% of people recycle their electricals | Increase in electrical recycling rates | Higher percentage of people recycling electricals | Awareness campaigns and accessibility to recycling options |
| Unused electrical items gathering dust in homes | Accumulation of unused electronics | Decreased accumulation of unused electronics | Increase in convenience and accessibility of disposal options |
| Retailers required to help customers dispose of old electrical products | Retailer responsibility for e-waste disposal | Improved retailer participation in e-waste management | Government regulations and consumer demand for sustainable practices |
| Material Focus funded by fees paid by electrical producers | Funding for e-waste recycling initiatives | Continued funding for e-waste recycling initiatives | Government incentives and regulations for producer responsibility |