Online marketplaces must now report the electronic items they sell to UK consumers as part of new rules aimed at ensuring more firms share the burden of recycling costs. Currently, UK firms contribute to an Environment Agency fund for the collection and treatment of waste electricals such as old washing machines, radios and vacuum cleaners.

However, international companies selling electronics to British shoppers via online platforms like Amazon and eBay have avoided this expense. These firms must now register with the Environment Agency and report sales of household electrical products made by sellers in the UK.

This data will then be used to calculate the amount of recycling companies must finance annually. The online platforms will start paying this money from January 2026.

The changes will for the first time ensure the country’s manufacturers and importers do not unduly bear the cost burden of managing waste they did not create – making the system fairer for British businesses.

“Ensuring online marketplaces pay their share for managing the cost of the electrical waste they generate will increase recycling and level the playing field for UK-based retailers, boosting growth and making the system fairer through our Plan for Change.”

Mary Creagh, Circular Economy Minister

The funds generated will improve the collection and treatment of waste items collected by local authorities and returned to retailers, helping to move the nation towards a more circular economy.

Paula Coughlan, Chief People, Communications & Sustainability Officer at Currys commented: “Currys is already leading the way in giving tech longer life, through initiatives like Cash for Trash, and we have ambitious ideas to take this further through close collaboration with industry and Government. As well as making online marketplaces pay for the waste they create, we should be going further to set stretch targets and incentivise investment in cleaning it up too. We believe with the right skills and infrastructure in place, the UK can build a thriving circular economy – enabling lasting and sustainable change.”

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon said: “We welcome the Government’s focus in this critical area and look forward to continuing our work with the Circular Economy Taskforce to drive further innovation, supporting the UK’s transition to a more circular economy. We believe retailers have an important role to play in reducing waste, which is why we prioritise reselling, refurbishing, donating or recycling products wherever possible.”