Valpak responds to Defra electrical announcement on vapes and online marketplaces

The UK’s largest compliance scheme, Valpak by Reconomy, has welcomed Defra’s latest announcement on waste electrical legislation. 

George Atkinson, Director of Policy at Valpak, said: "Valpak fully supports Defra’s decision to classify vapes as their own category of electrical waste. This change reflects the higher costs of recycling vapes compared to Category 7 (toys, leisure, and sports equipment) and ensures regulations are proportionate to real-world recycling challenges.

“The updated rules for online marketplaces, requiring them to fund the recycling of electricals sold by overseas merchants to UK consumers, will create greater parity in waste electrical laws, ensuring all suppliers are treated equally, regardless of route to market. With expert compliance consultants and a nationwide recycling network working with local authorities and retailers, Valpak is on hand to assist producers in navigating the impacts of these changes.”

Ends

Editors notes

·      Valpak’s mission is to create a sustainable, waste-free world. We are driven, not by today. We are driven by tomorrow.

·      We help our clients to reduce waste and recycle more, continually innovating and using leading data science and expertise to inspire businesses, help push ourselves – and our industry – forward. We don’t just show our customers how to navigate waste regulations; we help them become more sustainable, through our ever-increasing capabilities and pioneering innovations. 

·      Valpak is the largest environmental compliance scheme in the UK. We work with major names, such as Aldi, Tesco, ASOS, and Miele, and manages compliance for more than 2,000 businesses. In 2022, it celebrated its 25th anniversary.

·      Valpak is part of Reconomy, an international circular economy specialist that combines technology, skills and incredible people to build sustainability ‘loops’ that create circular opportunities for business. This is achieved through a tech enabled, people-powered approach that helps Reconomy’s customers to better manage their resources, reduce waste, optimise their supply chains, and contribute in a meaningful way towards the circular economy.

·      Valpak services include:

o   Compliance under Waste Packaging, WEEE, and Battery Directives.

o   Data insights.

o   International compliance.

o   Consultancy.

o   Accreditation under environmental schemes, such as Zero Waste to Landfill. 

Valpak invests in pioneering systems and expertise which enable its customers to analyse, assess and improve product design. The Product Data Hub, Insight Platform and dedicated teams work together to drive change.