Estimation of critical metal consumption in household electrical and electronic equipment in the UK, 2011-2020

Demand for critical metals (CMs) has risen significantly, causing substantial supply risks globally. One key factor is the lack of holistic understanding of stocks and flows of different CMs contained in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) over time, resulting in low recycling rate for CMs from waste EEE (WEEE). This study aims to quantify stocks and flows of CMs in UK household EEE purchase, in-use stock and WEEE during 2011-2020, using a novel methodology to estimate annual purchase of a wide range of EEE products. We find that the total amounts of 19 different CMs contained in UK household EEE in-use stock, purchase, and WEEE had increased from 86, 13, and 8 thousand tonnes in 2011 to 140, 30, and 16 (worth & POUND;1.8 billion) in 2020, respectively. The findings provide new evidence that can assist decision makers develop strategies to make CMs more circular and sustainable.

Automated summary

The demand for critical metals has increased globally, leading to supply risks. The lack of understanding of the stocks and flows of different critical metals in electrical and electronic equipment has resulted in low recycling rates. This study quantifies the stocks and flows of critical metals in UK household EEE and provides evidence to assist decision makers in developing circular and sustainable strategies.