We all know the world’s WEEE recycling rate is in desperate need of improvement. It’s clear we need to make recycling electronics easier, as easy as, say, taking money from a cash point...
American company ecoATM has already made this a reality: the San Diego-based organisation has 15 WEEE kiosks around California that resemble overgrown cash points and function like ATMs. All you have to do is plop in unwanted small electronics like mobile phones, music players or video games, and the ecoATM identifies the product and assesses its damage before offering cash for your trash. Though the process can take a few minutes, the sense of (near) instant gratification is very attractive.
The company has recycled more than 50,000 items in the past year and aims to aggressively expand in the coming months. An ecoATM on every corner? It might be just what WEEE need.
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.