Online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay will have to pay their “fair share” of recycling e-waste under new government proposals.
Circular Economy Minister Mary Craig said the planned reforms would create a “level playing field” for electronics producers to contribute to recycling costs by putting more responsibility on international retailers.
Some foreign sellers have managed to avoid the charge by selling through online marketplaces, leaving UK firms such as Craze to foot much of the bill.
Firms that make e-cigarettes will also be asked to pay more, with plans not to go into effect until January 2026.
In 2023, the United Nations estimates that 844 million vapes are thrown away each year — although it said that “77 times moreE-waste is generated from unwanted toys.
“Under these new plans, online marketplaces — Amazon, eBay and others — will face much tougher obligations to ensure that overseas sellers who Those who use their platforms contribute to this cost of collection and recycling.”
The Minister is responsible for the UK Government’s commitment to the Circular Economy, which is the idea of reusing, repairing and sharing materials and products to live in a more environmentally sustainable world.
Amazon told BBC News it was “committed to minimizing waste and helping our customers reuse, repair and recycle their products”. It says it offers customers free recycling options, including home pickup, through its website.
Other major online marketplaces eBay, Temu and Euronics have yet to comment.
The plans will eliminate the classification of vapes along with toys, recreational and sporting goods for recycling purposes.
Instead, a new category will be introduced specifically for e-waste from vapes.
UK non-profit Material Focus estimates that five million vapes are either thrown away in the general waste every week in the UK.
And it is estimated that British households throw away more than 100,000 tonnes of small household electrical items, such as kettles and lamps, every year.
The government will also require online marketplaces to register with the Environment Agency and report UK sales from their overseas sellers.
This data will be used to calculate the financial contribution that online marketplaces should make towards e-waste recycling costs.
The UK government said the new obligations would be enforced by the Environment Agency and equivalent regulators in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The government says the move will help fund recycling services.
“We welcome new government initiatives to help level the playing field for waste liability, allowing online marketplaces to play their part,” said Craze boss Alex Baldock.
“Low-cost, low-quality and unsustainable technology is piling up in landfills, and it’s good to see the government doing something about it.”
Additional reporting by Liv McMahon