Batteries, ELV & WEEE Wastes
Around 3 million tonnes of Batteries, End of Life Vehicle (ELV) and Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) wastes (also termed E-waste) were reported as generated in the most recent DEFRA data[1]. Whilst there are specific targets for Batteries and WEEE, and targets for recycling by particular brands for ELV waste.
The macro tonnages reported by DEFRA not only lag other data, they include a large proportion of mixed materials that can include other waste types. More detailed data is published for Batteries and WEEE for that put on the market (POM) and recycled/recovered.
Types within Batteries, ELV and WEEE Wastes
Each of the types are listed below to page-level specific data that include other references for material tonnages and recycling levels, plus further sub-division of the types where defined (for example Large Household Appliances as a sub-type/category of WEEE).
Batteries
The macro tonnage reported by DEFRA was 1.2 million tonnes of batteries and accumulators generated – although portable batteries only represented around 19,000 tonnes out of around 40,000 tonnes put on the market (POM).
ELV
The macro tonnage reported by DEFRA was 1.8 million tonnes generated, around 2 million vehicles per year. Treatment requires specific management of the potential pollutants that arise during dismantling (for example waste oils and brake fluids).
WEEE
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), also known as E-waste, is end of life Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE). The macro WEEE tonnage reported by DEFRA as generated by the UK was around 0.6 million tonnes, with around 1.9 million tonnes put on the market (POM)
UK Batteries, ELV & WEEE Waste Arisings by Waste Category (2020)
Total UK Battereis, ELV & WEEE Waste Arisings 3,531.99 thousand tonnes (2020). Data source: [1]
Batteries, ELV & WEEE Waste Arisings by Economic Classification
Economic Classification | UK 2020 | England 2020 | England 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
Agricultural | 10.56 | 3.81 | 3.97 |
Mining & Quarrying | 1.52 | 0 | 0 |
Manufacturing | 46.11 | 39.95 | 38.67 |
Water Treatment | 0.38 | 0.17 | 0.17 |
Services | 3,216.46 | 3,037.43 | 1,677.45 |
Households | 256.55 | 206.20 | 219.38 |
Construction | 0.39 | 0 | 0 |
Total Arisings | 3,531.99 | 3,287.56 | 1,939.64 |
England as % of UK | 93.1% |
All figures in thousand tonnes. Data source: [1]
Purpose
This category brings together those materials that primarily metals-based but have specialised requirements for treatment and recovery and in the case of WEEE and Batteries have very specific targets for recycling and recovery.
Approach
This category excludes other specific metals that are separately listed, but includes each material at page-specific level for the tonnages reported and recycled against the relevant targets.
