🌍 E-Waste Per Capita: Global Leaders
UK ranks 2nd globally in electronic waste generation per person (2022 data)
General UK E-Waste Statistics
Collection and Recycling Performance
The UK’s WEEE system collected 496,000 tonnes in 2024, up from 473,000 tonnes in 2023.
The 2024 collection target was 482,335 tonnes, which was exceeded (DEFRA Q2 data, LetsRecycle Q3 report).
The official WEEE recycling rate is about 57%, but some analyses suggest an actual rate closer to 31.2%, highlighting capture challenges for all streams (WasteManaged 2025 Guide, Material Focus UK Briefing).
For a digestible summary, see Lumenloop’s coverage on Global Ewaste Statistics.
Household E-Waste Patterns
The average home owns 25 electronic devices.
527 million unused devices are hoarded in UK homes.
471 million “Fast Tech” items go to landfill annually (BusinessWaste, WasteDirect, Material Focus research).
Lighting-Specific E-Waste Data
Collection Volumes & Recycling Rates
In 2024, the UK collected 4,055 tonnes of gas discharge lamps & LED lamps, closely matching the target of 4,059 tonnes (DEFRA Data, Beyond.ly news).
29 million LED lights go to UK landfill annually (Recolight landfill analysis).
380+ million lamps recycled by Recolight since 2007—a leading role in the UK (Recolight).
Fluorescent tubes disposed yearly: 80 million; estimated 4 tonnes of mercury could be recovered from these (Pure Planet, FirstMile).
Historical Lamp Recycling Rates
Lamp recycling rates jumped from 23.2% (2008) to 52.8% (2013) (Recolight industry guide).
Material recovery for fluorescent tubes: up to 98% (Printwaste).
Explore Lumenloop’s commentary on the circular economy in lighting.
Environmental & Market Trends
T5/T8 fluorescent tubes banned from sale in the UK since Sept 2023 (Aspect Mercury Lamps).
UK e-waste contains £1.5 billion of precious metals (BusinessWaste).
Improper fluorescent tube disposal could contaminate 30,000 litres of water per tube (Pure Planet).
Regulatory & Compliance Framework
The UK operates under the WEEE Regulations 2013.
Reforms are coming: mandatory retailer take-back, stricter compliance for online sellers, and higher collection targets (Material Focus
