Assessing barriers to reuse of electrical and electronic equipment, a UK perspective

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Cole, C. ORCID: 0000-0002-5681-827X, Gnanapragasam, A. ORCID: 0000-0002-8777-4847, Cooper, T. ORCID: 0000-0001-8623-2918 and Singh, J. ORCID: 0000-0002-9215-0166, 2019. Assessing barriers to reuse of electrical and electronic equipment, a UK perspective. Resources, Conservation and Recycling: X, 1: 100004. ISSN 2590-289X

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcrx.2019.100004

Abstract

This paper reports on research undertaken to identify generic and specific barriers to reuse of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from across the value chain including product designers, manufacturers, users and waste managers as well policy makers and academics. The interviews sought to examine perceived and real barriers to reuse in the UK. Three inter-connected factors that limit opportunities and instances of reuse of electrical and electronic equipment were identified, highlighting that both systemic and consumer barriers to increasing levels of reuse exist. These are: producer reluctance, unsuitable collection infrastructure and cultural issues. Overall, the paper shows that low levels of reuse in the electrical and electronic sector are a result of complex and interlinked barriers. Understanding these connections offers the potential to improve the opportunities for reuse, by providing direction for policy makers to address barriers from a multi stakeholder perspective. Increasing instances of reuse is essential if the UK is to successfully move towards a resource efficient, circular economy.

Item Type:

Journal article

Publication Title:

Resources, Conservation and Recycling: X

Creators:

Cole, C., Gnanapragasam, A., Cooper, T. and Singh, J.

Publisher:

Elsevier BV

Date:

1 June 2019

Volume:

ISSN: