Independent electrical retailers becoming a dumping ground for old white goods amid recycling capacity crisis, warns Bira

Bira has warned that electrical shops are becoming a dumping ground for old fridges and other white goods, as a nationwide recycling capacity crisis leaves retailers unable to get collections arranged.

Bira said members are increasingly left with nowhere to put damaged and end of life white goods, as treatment capacity for cooling appliances such as fridges and freezers fails to keep pace with demand.

The UK's WEEE recycling sector has lost a significant number of treatment partners over the past year, creating a shortage of processing capacity for fridges and other cooling appliances. Some councils have already been forced to suspend household collections of fridges and freezers as a result. The Environment Agency has responded by allowing businesses to apply to store fridges on unlicensed sites while the situation continues.

The WEEE directive, first introduced in 2002 and updated in 2012, places responsibilities on all producers, including manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers, to ensure the proper disposal and recycling of electrical items. It covers everything from large household appliances such as fridges and dishwashers to small electronics, IT equipment and lighting. In December 2024, these obligations were extended to overseas online marketplaces, ensuring online sellers contribute to waste disposal costs in the same way as high street retailers.

Retra said several members have already reported being unable to get collections arranged for damaged and end of life stock, leaving units taking up valuable space on shop premises.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "Independent electrical retailers have always taken their environmental responsibilities seriously, but they are now being left to store broken and unwanted white goods because the wider recycling infrastructure simply cannot keep up. This is a problem retailers have had no part in creating, yet they are the ones absorbing the consequences on their shop floors."

Jeff Moody, Commercial Director for Retra added: "We have already had members contact us directly about this. Space in a shop is precious, and every fridge or freezer sitting there waiting for collection is space that can't be used for anything else. Retailers need clarity from the recycling sector on when normal service will resume."

"We understand new treatment capacity is being brought online this year, which should ease the pressure," said Mr Moody.

"In the meantime, we would urge the recycling schemes to keep retailers properly informed so they can plan around the disruption."

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