New figures revealed that 6.48 million UK adults have thrown away a small electrical appliance in the last three years – equivalent to more than two million people per year or one person every 15 seconds. The UK is said to have one of the highest rates for electrical waste in the world.
Suez said that the country’s “mountain of electrical waste” has major environmental impacts including polluting the environment and wasting critical materials that could otherwise be recycled.
In particular, air fryers and microwaves are being highlighted. The former now accounts for an increasing part of e-waste. Twelve per cent of UK adults who experienced a problem with an air fryer threw it away, instead of recycling or rehoming the item.
Dr Adam Read MBE, chief sustainability and external affairs officer at Suez recycling and recovery UK, said: “The UK is facing a huge environmental challenge to deal with the mountain of electrical waste we produce. At Suez our plates are piled high. The UK’s love affair with small electronic appliances leads to millions of items like air fryers being thrown away, instead of being properly disposed of for recycling.
“Please don’t just throw your appliance in the bin, it is always better to recycle or re-home an item where possible. You can find out how to recycle faulty or unwanted goods safely and for free on your local council’s website, or for items still in good working order, even better to consider re-homing them through a charity shop or through friends and family.”
The polling of 2,000 UK adults also revealed that almost two thirds (64%) would not consider buying small electrical appliances second hand. This is despite more businesses offering refurbished appliances. Suez has also seen a year-on-year increase of 13.5% in electrical sales from its Renew outlet, which refurbishes and sells pre-loved goods, between 2023 to 2024.
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