The study, Making it easier to recycle – small electricals and portable batteries collections impact review, assessed how different publicly available recycling options affect the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and batteries collected across UK local authorities.
Whilst results varied across councils, councils providing kerbside collections for small electricals collect, on average, 15–22% more than those without the service.
For portable batteries, the effect is even greater, with kerbside collections linked to an average increase of around 49% compared to councils that do not offer them.
The provision of reuse and recycling points makes it easier for anything and everything with a plug, battery or cable can be fixed, donated, sold or recycled.
More than 100 local authorities currently offer kerbside collections for small electricals, while at least 130 provide kerbside battery collections, highlighting a growing uptake of these services across the UK.
Previous research from Eunomia on behalf of the Environmental Services Association (ESA) found that the nationwide implementation of kerbside collection for waste batteries and electricals could save £6 billion across the next decade, with savings principally coming from the prevention of waste fires and increased recycling.
However, the research also highlights wide variation in performance between authorities, suggesting that while kerbside services play an important role, they are only part of a more complex picture.
Kerbside, take-back and HWRCs
The review was carried out by Material Focus on behalf of the Joint Trade Associations (JTA) and Defra.
It examined the effectiveness of public collection routes for small mixed WEEE and portable batteries, including:
- Kerbside collection services
- Retailer take-back schemes
- Local authority household waste recycling centres (HWRCs)
The aim was to understand whether particular collection methods are associated with higher recycling rates and how access to different recycling locations influences behaviour.
Material Focus analysed data from across the UK, focusing on how the availability and accessibility of these services correlated with the amount of electricals and batteries collected by local authorities.
The review did not include the impact of electrical recycling bring banks, though Material Focus confirmed these will be considered in future analysis.
Commenting on the report, Scott Butler, Executive Director at Material Focus, said: “Making it easier for the public to reuse and recycle electricals and portable batteries is a key part of driving behaviour change.
“This means building a comprehensive and accessible network of drop-off points in close proximity to where people live, work and shop.
“This research brings us a step closer to understanding what that network could look like in the future.”
Retailer recycling locations decreased collections
The research also highlighted the importance of retailer take-back schemes and HWRCs within the wider recycling network.
Local authorities with better walking access to retailer recycling locations often recorded lower council collection rates for electricals and batteries.
Material Focus suggested this may reflect residents choosing to use convenient retailer take-back options instead of council-run services, rather than a reduction in overall recycling.
By contrast, improved driving access to local authority recycling centres was generally linked to higher recycling rates for both small electricals and portable batteries across most authorities.
While kerbside services and access to recycling locations clearly influence collection rates, the report concludes that they explain only part of the variation seen between local authorities.
Even among councils offering similar services, performance differed significantly, suggesting that factors such as public awareness, service consistency, local demographics and engagement campaigns may also play a critical role in driving recycling behaviour.
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