Stuart Hopwood (SH): How is the regulatory landscape around electrical waste changing, and what should retailers be preparing for? Graeme Milne (GM): The regulations are rightly expanding to cover new products; most recently vapes. All retailers of vapes must offer free in-store take-back and disposable vapes are obviously now banned from sale across the UK. In more general terms, the UK is moving to a model of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), whereby Producers and Retailers will have further financial responsibility for packaging and waste electricals at end-of-life. This is likely to mean, for example, that sellers


of white goods will have to offer free collection from the customer’s home upon the delivery of a new appliance. We also anticipate that the range of retail stores that will be required to offer free in-store take-back for electrical waste will increase in scope and scale.


SH: We’ve seen a few public campaigns over many months. Are you seeing any trends in consumer awareness about electrical waste and recycling? GM: The public is becoming more aware of the benefits associated with the recycling of waste electricals. This is largely being driven by the excellent work of the Recycle your Electricals campaign led by Material Focus (and their mascot Hypno Cat), which is funded by the producer compliance fee.


‘‘ Ecogenesys is the UK


organiser of International E-Waste Day which is an annual awareness raising event that we would encourage all retailers to get involved in.


Ecogenesys is the UK organiser of International


E-Waste Day which is an annual awareness raising event that we would encourage all retailers to get involved in. Details can be found on our website. There are, however, still occurrences of electrical


waste items ending up in the wrong places. Best case, this results in a loss of materials that could have been recycled but in the worst case, electrical items, especially those that contain lithium batteries, can cause fires in bins, refuse vehicles and at recycling sites, where there has been significant damage. Many smaller ‘fast-tech’ items such as vapes,


may seem so small that they would not cause a problem, however they are often disposed of before the batteries within them are fully used and these can “spark” when compressed.


SH: What makes Ecogenesys different from other environmental companies in the electrical sector? GM: The key difference between Ecogenesys and other compliance schemes is that we are owned by producers and operate our scheme on a not- for-profit, cost-recovery basis. This means that our members’ needs always come first. “Founded by Producers for Producers”, we are the Producers “voice” in the industry - helping shape future legislation in a fair and proportionate manner.


SH: There must be new challenges and opportunities, so what do you see coming for electrical retailers in terms of sustainability? GM: In addition to expected new


Spring 2026 PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE


responsibilities around product takeback, I believe that informed consumers will expect a more substantial sustainability message and offering from retailers, who are often the link between manufacturer and end-user. This could be an opportunity for retailers


to differentiate themselves from others, by embedding sustainability into their business. Ecogenesys provides Carbon Literacy Training as well as other environmental services that can support retailers on this journey.


SH: Is there any advice you would you give to independent retailers about staying ahead of environmental regulations? GM: Compliance with environmental regulation is an increasingly complex task, but it does bring with it opportunities. I would advise independent retailers to stay in touch with compliance schemes, engage with us to make sure you have the most up- to-date information that is relevant to you, whether that’s attending our webinars and events or reading our update emails. Consider it as a positive opportunity for differentiation. Consumers are becoming far more aware of environmental matters and having staff representing your business who understand this (for example via Carbon Literacy Training) can help your organisation stand out.


EDITOR NOTE - On behalf of the IER Team, many thanks to Graeme and the Ecogenesys team


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