UNITED KINGDOM: A study by the non-profit group Material Focus revealed that in the UK, approximately half a billion small, inexpensive electrical everyday goods, including headphones and handheld fans, were discarded in landfills last year, highlighting the significant scope of the issue and their aim to promote recycling.
In the past year alone, more than half a billion inexpensive electronic products were purchased in the UK, or 16 each second. According to research by Material Focus, 471 million of these goods were discarded. There were 260 million disposable vapes, 26 million cords, 29 million LED, solar, and decorative lights, 9.8 million USB sticks, and 4.8 million tiny fans.
Scott Butler, executive director at Material Focus, warns that people should be cautious when purchasing “cheap and small” products, as they often contain precious materials that can be recycled.
Copper, lithium, and stainless steel are some of the precious materials found in small electrical devices that can be used in electric cars, medical equipment, and wind turbines.
Material Focus added that although people are accustomed to recycling larger electrical equipment, many smaller devices are often left unused in homes, highlighting the importance of considering the environmental impact of purchasing frivolous products.
A study found that UK homes often have multiple remote controls, mobile phones, and charging cords clogging up cupboard space. To address this issue, an online tool by Material Focus aims to encourage the recycling of fast electronics “guilt-free and fuss-free”.
The tool directs users to nearby recycling facilities, promoting the growing trend of recycling and repurposing fashion. The goal is to inspire the country to recycle electronics responsibly.
Material Focus reports that UK residents spent over £2.8 billion on inexpensive electrical items in the previous year, despite the fact that they were considered disposable. The group said that this is part of the growing issue of wasted electricals in the UK, with over 100,000 tonnes of garbage electricals thrown away annually and 880 million unused products left in homes.
According to a Material Focus poll of 2,000 people, the typical UK adult purchases nine inexpensive electrical products each year and discards eight of them. Step counters, portable vacuum cleaners, and compact speakers are some of the goods that are most likely to be thrown out.
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