On Wednesday 17 April, the Environmental Audit Committee held a follow-up session to its inquiry on electronic waste.
Electrical and electronic equipment are estimated to be Europe’s fastest growing source of waste, increasing by 3-5% year on year. UK households and businesses discard an estimated 2 million tonnes of e-waste each year.
MPs heard from organisations and experts working across the waste and recycling industries. However, Amazon declined an invitation to appear, despite being the primary UK marketplace for electronics. Committee Chair Philip Dunne has written to the company querying this, saying it raises concerns of how waste and recycling is being tackled “at board level”.