UK e-waste systems underutilize repair and reuse potential

A study published in Business Strategy and the Environment suggests that the United Kingdom’s current electronic waste management system fails to maximize opportunities for repair and reuse. Research conducted at the Slyfield recycling centre found that only approximately 2% to 2.5% of devices were selected for further use.

In contrast, data from community repair workshops, such as Repair Cafés, showed a much higher success rate, with approximately 50% of brought items being successfully repaired and another 28% deemed repairable. The study, involving researchers from Leeds Beckett University and Surrey Business School, analyzed over 10,000 records from the Open Repair Alliance.

Researchers Sheeba Pathak and Hajar Fatorachian propose that recycling centres should act as coordination hubs. They suggest linking these centres with repair services and community maker spaces to ensure products are thoroughly assessed for repair or component reuse before being automatically sent for recycling or disposal.