And, the CRA has highlighted “a real opportunity to secure change”, as the government is considering plans for producers to fund the collection of electricals deemed unsaleable from charity shops too.
The CRA, which represents some of the biggest charity shops such as the BHF and Oxfam, has surveyed its members prior to responding to Defra’s recent WEEE consultation which included the proposal.
In December, Defra launched its long-awaited review of the WEEE regulations which included a proposal for UK-wide collections of waste electricals directly from household (see letsrecycle.com story).
Currently, many households will donate old electricals to charity, and the CRA’s survey is asking members if they are concerned that this trade could be hit after the rollout of such a measure.
We have a real opportunity to secure change
- Charity Retail Association
Fees
The CRA added that disposing of donated electrical items that are subsequently unsaleable can be a significant cost pressure for charity retailers and act as a barrier to accepting donated electrical items.
The association added: “We have highlighted this issue with the Government multiple times and now have a real opportunity to secure change with the four UK Governments embarking on a joint review of regulations on the treatment of used and waste electrical items.
“One of the 144 consultation questions includes a proposal to provide charity shops with a free collection and disposal service for charity retailers covering all donated electrical equipment later deemed unsuitable for reuse. This would be paid for by Producer Compliance Schemes funded by fees paid for every new electrical item made available for sale in the UK.”
However, the CRA said the current consultation process does not cover how a free collection and disposal process might work in practice or seek any views on this, with these discussions coming “at a later stage of what will be a multi-year process”.
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