The objective was to better understand what socio-economic factors could be included in building a new dynamic model for quantifying electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the market (POM) and WEEE generated (WG).
Target setting for end of life waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) products in a consumer economy has long been fraught with difficulty; why are some products thrown away immediately, whilst others are hoarded? What is the relationship between overall prosperity and the purchase of new electronics and electricals (EE)? How are technology changes influencing what we buy and discard?
REPIC, the largest WEEE producer compliance scheme (PCS), has long had the aim to better understand how the fate of unwanted equipment influences target setting. These questions and potential solutions are posed in a new white paper entitled: Setting robust and realistic PCS targets for WEEE to support the transition to a Circular Economy.
The report sets out a quantitative approach to measuring and forecasting WEEE per product category based on econometric analytics. REPIC hopes that by sharing these insights, it will start to generate discussions with key stakeholders on the complexity and uncertainties of estimating how much WEEE will be generated.
As well as outlining the work that could be done to reduce the uncertainty and gaps in the data, the white paper discusses the challenges and possible solutions for generating robust collection targets going forward.
The long standing producer-led organisation, REPIC has today made the summary of the findings available to the wider waste industry at www.dynamicweeemodel.co.uk.
Visitors to the site will be able to download for free the 34-page white paper, watch videos from various industry stakeholders on the value of the research, and hear from REPIC and Pentland Centre teams regarding the research and challenges faced.
Commenting on the research, Mark Burrows Smith, Chief Executive of REPIC said: “The initial findings documented in the report show improvements in modelling and target setting are clearly possible.
“There’s a clear knowledge gap. Improvements in data need to be addressed before we can effectively develop a model that will help inform future government waste policy and industry decision making. The targets for the whole of the UK will increase considerably in 2019.”
“The work undertaken by Lancaster University has provided an in-depth analysis of the data availability and gaps, state of the art modelling and detailed recommendations to develop the new model and improve data intelligence.”
The paper proposes steps towards a new dynamic WEEE forecasting model. Lancaster University are now seeking further funding to build the model and gather new data, particularly on what happens to the EEE and WEEE which does not enter the PCS system, second-hand EEE markets and household residence times for EEE products.
Dr Alison Stowell, principal investigator, from Pentland Centre, Lancaster University, comments: “The initial research has helped us to identify the undesirable flows of WEEE so any future target setting model can better replicate market dynamics. Before modelling, it is evident that further research is required around unreported flows, mass balance, lifespan and residence times. This deeper dive would provide more accurate information regarding product lifespan and time horizons from EEE place on the market (POM) to waste generated. This is especially important given the UK’s Circular Economy and Clean Growth strategy, which includes ambitious targets to achieve zero avoidable waste by 2050.”
For more information visit www.dynamicweeemodel.co.uk