Work Package 1 – Desk-Based Research (Completed)

In the first work package, we conducted in-depth desk-based research to review WEEE recycling and collection systems across Europe. This comprehensive review helped us identify high-performing countries and assess what’s driving their success.

Key Outcome:
We selected Sweden and the Republic of Ireland for further investigation, as both demonstrate leading WEEE collection rates. Our next steps will focus on understanding the specific drivers and challenges within their systems — insights that could help shape effective, scalable solutions for the UK.

Work Package 2 – Multi-Stakeholder Engagement (Ongoing)

In this stage of the project, we are engaging with key industry stakeholders across Sweden, the UK, and the Republic of Ireland through interviews and quantitative surveys. The goal is to gain first-hand insights into the collection mechanisms currently in place and to analyse the key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping WEEE systems in each country.

Current Focus:
Gathering rich, stakeholder-driven data to inform the development of practical, evidence-based recommendations for improving WEEE collection rates in the UK.

Work Package 3 – Citizen Insights on WEEE Recycling & Reuse (In Progress)

This work package focuses on a qualitative self-ethnography study with citizens in Sweden and the Republic of Ireland. Through in-depth exploration of everyday behaviours, communications, and cultural attitudes, we aim to uncover how people interact with the systems for disposing, recycling, and reusing WEEE.

Current Focus:
Understanding the lived experiences and motivations behind citizen behaviour to identify transferable insights that could support more effective public engagement and system design in the UK.