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British Public Sitting on a Mountain of Technology Waste

June 16th, 2009 Posted in General, Industry News

Dell

  • UK lowest in Europe for technology recycling activity

Consumer confusion around the recycling options available for old electronics has led to a country of technology wasters, with one out of two British consumers failing to correctly recycle their old technology and the nation’s young the most notable accumulators.

This is according to new research conducted for Dell on the recycling habits of 5,000 consumers across the UK (1,000 respondents), France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

The findings reveal interesting gaps when it comes to electronics recycling depending on gender, age and nationality, with Germans proving the savviest (four in five regularly recycle electronics) compared to the more complacent British public (only one in two).

In general awareness levels of electronic manufacturers’ recycling schemes and government initiatives such as the WEEE Directive, the British again fall behind and are the least aware of such initiatives or legislation compared to other consumers in Europe. In fact, when it comes to understanding the importance of correct technology recycling, UK consumers claim to be more influenced by the media than by government legislation.

However, while the British are less informed about the correct procedures for electronics recycling, and show little interest in the available recycling initiatives and legislation to do so, this does not mean that they make the worst recyclers overall. In fact, the level of British consumers who claim to regularly recycle paper, plastics and glass, is higher than the European average, according to the study.

Consumer recycling behaviour is also found to vary across the UK dependent on region:

  • Respondents in Scotland and London are found to care more about the implications of improper technology disposal, with four percent of consumers in each location claiming to recycle electronics more than any other category of waste (4 percent of respondents versus a 1 percent average across the UK)
  • The Welsh on the other hand are more complacent – or less informed about how to recycle technology – with consumers there recycling electronics the least often of all UK regions (17 percent of Welsh respondents have never recycled technology)
  • The influence on recycling by the media is most apparent in London, with 85 percent claiming to be more influenced by local news than by the government
  • A lack of awareness about technology recycling is found to be most apparent in the North East, with nearly ¾ of residents there claiming they do everything they can to recycle – but less than one percent recycling electronics
  • 60 percent of respondents in Yorkshire and the Humber had never heard of the WEEE directive or other similar government legislation before whereas 60 percent of people in the South West of England had heard of such legislation. In addition, 72 percent of respondents in the North West were unaware of their computer manufacturer’s recycling policies.

To increase technology recycling and address Europe’s fastest growing waste stream1, Dell encourages organisations’ and governments to adopt a more targeted approach in communicating the free technology recycling initiatives currently available in the UK and why it’s so important for the British public to get involved. Consumers can also follow four simple steps:

  • Learn about electronic manufacturers’ recycling policies by looking for recycling information in the product literature or on the manufacturer’s Web site. Initiatives such as those run by Dell, are often free and include collection
  • Call their local council or council-run recycling centre to establish where they have the facilities in place to deal with electronics
  • Share knowledge and discuss recycling with others (join the discussion on www.regeneration.org)
  • Make recycling fun and educational and involve family, friends and neighbours.

Dell’s own takeback and recycling programme offers consumers no-charge recycling of any brand of used computer or printer with the purchase of a new Dell computer or printer; and any Dell equipment with or without a purchase. The global consumer recycling programme also provides consumers with an option to donate their old computers to non-profit organisations that help people in their own communities.

Quotes:

Jean Cox-Kearns, Recycling and Takeback Manager, Dell EMEA, says : “The research suggests different motivations behind recycling depending on sex, age and geography. It tells us that electronic manufacturers such as Dell need to adopt a more targeted approach in communicating the free technology recycling initiatives available and why it’s so important to get involved.”

Tony Juniper, former Friends of the Earth director and independent sustainability advisor, says : “These findings show a clear need to drive awareness with consumers around the mounting issue of e-waste and its serious implications to health and the environment. Already, we see positive champions at large across Europe so it’s now just a case of electronic manufacturers and governments in every country making the disposal of old electrical equipment as accessible and as commonplace as recycling old paper, plastics and glass.”

Caroline Fines, Executive Director, Global Cool says : “It’s great that companies like Dell are taking action to help customers recycle their old electronic goods. Global Cool has also found that, as well as enabling people to be more environmentally friendly, it’s important to also inspire them to do the right thing and show them the positive difference that their actions make.”

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