Material Focus is an independent not-for-profit organisation. Discarded, unwanted electricals are the fastest growing waste stream in the world – and the UK. Together with partners we are transforming the UK’s e-waste system, and empowering more people to fix, donate, sell and recycle their electricals. For the good of people, our economy, and our planet.
What we’ve been working on since our launch in 2020
We have published 13 in-depth research studies into key issues – from how to boost battery recycling to public attitudes and behaviours towards electrical waste.
We supported Gloucester City Council to expand their electrical recycling services resulting in a 75% uplift in the tonnage of electricals collected from the kerbside compared with the same period last year.
We’ve worked with hundreds of local authorities, businesses and local communities to get people across the UK recycling their electricals.
Nearly half the people who see our adverts say they plan to recycle their electricals in future. We’re making electrical recycling the easy and obvious choice for millions of people.
We identify, produce and share insights to improve the UK e-waste system and inform policy decisions
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We identify and fund projects that make it easier to reuse and recycle; or that encourage circular design.
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We inspire, educate and encourage the UK public to fix, donate, sell and recycle their unwanted electricals through our Recycle Your Electricals campaign.
Get involvedWe are funded through the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility regulations. Under WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) Extended Producer Responsibility regulations, electrical producers have legal obligations for the environmental impact of their products throughout their lifecycle. This includes financing the collection, treatment, and recycling of electrical waste to recover the precious materials inside them.
We’ve been busy making it easier for millions more people to understand what, how, why to recycle their electricals. And find more local places to fix, donate and recycle them.
Our Board is made up of four producer trade associations within the Joint Trade Associations (JTA), namely the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA), BEAMA, the Lighting Industry Association (LIA) and techUK, whose members have significant household WEEE obligations.
An independent advisory panel provides strategic direction for the disbursement of funds. The panel is made up of representatives from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities Forum (AATF Forum), Industry Council for Electronic Equipment Recycling (ICER), Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO), WEEE Schemes Forum (WSF), Reuse Network, Joint Trade Associations (JTA) and Environmental Services Association (ESA).
Come and be part of the team.
