Study Reveals Potential of Unused Electrical Goods in UK Copper Transition

A recent study has found that there are approximately 823 million unused or broken electrical goods across the UK, containing up to 38,449 tonnes of copper. This quantity could supply 30% of the copper required to transition the country to a decarbonised electricity grid by 2030. Copper is a vital component for solar and wind power technologies, as well as electric vehicles.

Scott Butler of Recycle Your Electricals urged the public to recycle unnecessary appliances, emphasizing the value of materials contained in cables and electrical devices. On average, each household in the UK discards 23 cables, which contain up to 20% copper.

Experts have also warned of a potential copper shortage within the next five to ten years, driven by increasing demand for renewable energy. The Royal Society of Chemistry has called on the government to manage resources strategically to prevent future shortages of this essential material.