This guide provides you with advice on how to dispose of disused cables responsibly. The premise is to reduce e-waste in the UK in the name of sustainability. Learn the benefits of cable recycling, what your recycling options are, and alternative disposal methods like donation.
The e-waste problem
Undoubtedly, there’s a growing problem of e-waste (electronic waste) globally. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) it’s the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world. Millions of electrical and electronic devices are being discarded and thrown away, including mobile phones, computers, household appliances, and of course cables. In 2022, global e-waste reached 62 million tonnes, and only 22 percent of that was recycled. The UK alone currently generates around 1.6 million tonnes of electronic waste each year. Advancements in technology abound, but the consequence is a waste stream of unwanted devices.
The Importance of Responsible Disposal
Improper disposal of e-waste contributes to environmental degradation such as increased landfill and higher greenhouse gas emissions, along with the loss of valuable materials - especially metals and minerals. Therefore, it’s crucial that we make a difference where we can. Specifically, we need to dispose of discarded cables responsibly.
The responsible disposal of cables embraces the principles of the circular economy. If we recycle cables, we extend the lifespan of materials, feeding new manufacturing with recycled material content, and minimising the overall carbon footprint. The alternative outcome is cables going to landfill, that can then lead to environmental pollution and health hazards.
Solutions to Cable Recycling
In the UK, the management and disposal of e-waste is regulated by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. It aims to ensure that 85% of electronic waste is recycled and recovered across the nation. Meanwhile, the UK Government has set a target to achieve zero e-waste to landfill by 2030.
Commit Strategically
Driven by the refusal to contribute to environmental degradation and the loss of valuable materials, recycling disused cables is straightforward to do. The first move is to commit strategically by introducing a well-defined ‘zero to landfill’ sustainability policy, based on environmental responsibility that embraces cable recycling within a universal commitment to electronic waste disposal and recycling. In turn, this needs to be promoted through the organisation so that everyone understands what’s required, and those with the responsibility to do so recycle all obsolete cables accordingly.
Sort Your Cables
The key element to cable recycling is material separation. One of the simplest and most effective solutions is to identify and organise cables based on their material differences, which are then allocated to separate storage bins for each type of material.
Predominantly, you’ll be looking to separate out copper, steel, aluminium, and plastic compounds. It’s worth noting the importance of removing any components that are likely to hamper the recycling process as a first provision, such as ties and covers. These can be recycled separately.
Your Main Options
The next thing to do is to find a recycling body to process your used cables. An online search for ‘UK cable recycling’ will return a wide selection of e-waste recycling facilities that process disused cables responsibly and sustainably. These range from local authority recycling centres to private enterprises such as generalised scrap merchants and cable recycling specialists.
There are several commercial benefits to choosing this route for recycling obsolete cables, including
- Payment for materials: Differing rates are offered across assorted materials by weight. The income generated goes straight to your bottom line.
- Enhanced sustainability credentials: Responsible disposal via recycling contributes to your business achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions. It’s the right thing to do from a sustainable supply chain point-of-view.
You should aim to work with a local partner where possible, ideally with an electric fleet of collection vehicles to minimise the carbon footprint of transportation. In terms of compliance, ensure that they are fully licensed with the Environment Agency and carry the appropriate insurance certification.
In all cases, the focus for scrap cables will be to strip them into their segregate component parts, mainly plastics and metals. To demonstrate, this is how the two most popular types of cable - copper and fibre optic cables, are processed within recycling plants:
- Copper cables are grouped together regardless of conductor material. These are typically placed within a granulating machine to create fine pellets of metals and polymers, which are then separated.
- Fibre Optic Cables follow a similar process, but the glass fibres are often removed before the materials are granulated to make the task of sorting materials easier. These glass fibres are then used in things like bottle and jar production.
In short, you’re left with metals, plastic polymers, and glass fibres. These recycled materials will then be fed back into the supply chain to be used again. If you can undertake the sorting of materials prior to collection as suggested previously, then you’re more likely to find a recycling partner who’s willing to collaborate with you.
Whoever you choose to work with, compliance is key. Make sure that you understand the legal requirements, local regulations, and their specific requirements for recycling cables before working with them.
Alternative Options
The main recycling options above are applicable to larger volume processing, and are more likely to cater for medium to large enterprises. However, there are plenty of other choices for recycling cables that are often right on your doorstep, especially when volumes are small. For example, there are charities such as the Weee Charity, who reuse, recycle, or resell back to the local community. Craftspeople such as jewellers and artists are renowned for being on the lookout for different materials to work with too, and are likely to be very grateful recipients of metals and plastics to work with.
In Conclusion
At Webro, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond the cables we supply. Find out more about our sustainability practices and policies.
As technology advances, electronic waste is becoming the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world. It’s increasing landfill and greenhouse gas emissions, and valuable materials such as metals and minerals are being lost, leading to environmental pollution and health hazards. Needless to say, we need to make a difference. We can start by disposing of discarded cables responsibly to embrace the principles of the circular economy.
By recycling cables we increase the lifespan of valuable materials and reduce the carbon footprint. In addition to the significant environmental advantages, there are commercial benefits for businesses such as receiving payment for materials and creating jobs for those employed in the recycling sector.
Committing to cable recycling is relatively straightforward with a ‘zero to landfill’ promise. Internal promotion ensures buy-in, and makes sure that it happens. There’s then a wide choice of e-waste recycling organisations to partner with that process disused cables. Pre-sorting materials prior to collection creates better options for you to get the best out of the relationship. .
Above all else, whichever route you choose, make sure that you understand the process – from compliance to payment terms, before working with them to recycle your cables.
At Webro we are committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. If you have any questions about cable recycling or our approach to sustainability, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch online, call us on 0115 972 4483 or email info@webro.com.
Article written by Chris Bacon, Sales Director at
Webro Cables & Connectors, with over 30 years of
experience in the cable industry.
