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Waste Hierarchy explained: e-waste management best practices

The ‘Waste Hierarchy’ prioritises waste management methods based on their environmental impact. The highest priority is given to preventing waste altogether. If waste is generated, the hierarchy prioritises preparing it for reuse, followed by recycling, recovery, and, as a last resort, disposal (e.g landfill).

How can my company adhere to the Waste Hierarchy?

As a waste producer, it is your duty to minimise the waste you generate. Before passing it on to us for recycling, consider whether it can still be of any use. At Zero Tech Waste, we are here to help: we can provide guidance on reducing your WEEE output.

When disposing of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), organisations must take all reasonable measures to prevent waste and follow the hierarchy’s priority order, when transferring waste to another party. When we collect from you, we will issue a Waste Transfer Note (WTN), each of which requires a signed declaration confirming compliance with the waste hierarchy. This is mandated by Regulation 12 of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.

How do you follow the Waste Hierarchy?

A significant portion of WEEE that is disposed of still has functional life remaining. To maximise value, it is considered best practice to use equipment for as long as possible before replacing it.

We prioritise reuse for everything we collect. Items deemed unsuitable for reuse are sent to Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities (AATFs), where they are dismantled into core components such as metal, plastic, cables, and PCBs for recycling. Materials that cannot be recycled after processing are typically repurposed for energy recovery, particularly non-hazardous mixed plastics.

As a result of this thorough process, nothing ends up in landfill.

1. Prevention

Using less material in design and manufacturing processes, keeping products for longer, re-using or repurposing in it’s original environment, using less hazardous materials.

2. Minimisation

Reducing the amount of material that is wasted and/or recycled.

3. Re-use

Checking, cleaning, repairing, refurbishing, whole items or spare parts and redeploying.

4. Recycling

Removing components or spare parts for use in other environments or with other systems, for redeployment. Recycle your IT with us.

5. Energy recovery

Includes anaerobic digestion, incineration with energy recovery, gasification and pyrolysis which produce energy (heat, fuels and power) and materials from waste.