E-waste
The UK's e-waste problem is larger than you may realise. The UK generates more than 1.6 million tonnes of electronic waste every year, equating to roughly 24kg of e-waste per person. Official recycling rates for this growing waste stream are estimated to sit between 30% and 57%, meaning a significant amount of older IT equipment, household appliances, and fast-moving technology still ends up in landfill.
This makes the UK the second-largest producer of e-waste per capita in the world, just behind Norway.
As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, the disposal of electronic devices has reached alarming levels. e-waste is currently growing by approximately 3% to 5% annually. Recent data tracking the increase from 2024 to 2025 shows that household e-waste collections alone rose by almost 4%, equivalent to around 18,000 tonnes.
That's potentially 2.61 million tonnes of e-waste per year by the year 2035
How Does E-Waste Harm the Environment?
Improper disposal of e-waste has serious environmental consequences. Toxic chemicals and heavy metals from landfill electronics can contaminate soil and water, harming wildlife, natural habitats, and human health. Open-air burning of electronic waste also releases dangerous air pollutants and greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Many discarded electrical items can be repaired, refurbished, or recycled, helping to reduce landfill waste, conserve valuable natural resources such as gold, copper, and cobalt, and minimise the environmental impact of raw material extraction.
What Is Driving the Growth of E-Waste?
Consumer Upgrades
New smartphones, IT equipment, and consumer electronics are released constantly, encouraging more frequent upgrades. Around 25 million smartphones are discarded in the UK every year.
Household Stockpiling
The average UK household owns approximately 25 electronic devices, with an estimated 20% sitting unused in drawers, cupboards, and storage spaces.
Shorter Product Lifespans
Rapid technological development, rising consumer demand, and limited repair options all contribute to devices being replaced more frequently than ever before.
How Does Buying Refurbished Make a Difference?
Choosing refurbished technology helps reduce electronic waste by extending the lifespan of existing devices and preventing perfectly usable products from ending up in landfill. It also helps lower carbon emissions and reduces the demand for raw material mining and manufacturing.
Refurbished products are not only better for the environment, but they also offer excellent value, often saving customers between 20% and 70% compared to buying brand-new.
At Rebx Ltd, we are committed to helping create a greener future by giving technology a second life and reducing unnecessary e-waste across the UK. Every refurbished product purchased helps support a more sustainable approach to consumer electronics.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, the more awareness we can raise around e-waste, the greater impact we can make together in tackling this growing environmental challenge.