Apply for funding
We support innovative projects that make it easier for us all to reuse and recycle our unwanted electricals.
What sort of funding could you apply for?
Material Focus offers support to organisations for two types of project: technical research and expansion of recycling services.
All too often small electricals end up in our rubbish bins, rather than being put out for recycling. We want our funds to address this by making it easier for people to recycle or donate their unwanted electricals.
1. Technical research
We fund technical research into the barriers to reuse and recycling of old electricals. Insight from this research galvanises new approaches to recycling – such as innovative models of collection, better enforcement and more efficient use of resources.
Our focus is on projects that can deliver genuine and lasting improvements to the system, with buy-in from local authorities, businesses and community groups.
Read about research we have supported
Call for tenders now open
Research on WEEE and Waste Battery targets
Material Focus has opened a call for tenders for a new technical research project called ‘A technical assessment of practical alternatives to weight-based targets – with the aim of better achieving circularity in WEEE and Waste Batteries under EPR.’
Weight based targets have been used in WEEE and Waste Battery legislation for many years. However are they now the most appropriate for enhancing a circular economy?
This project requires:
- Analysis of current weight based targets and an investigation of practical alternatives;
- Consideration of how such alternative targets may be integrated into existing systems
To apply for the tender, to review the brief, and for terms and conditions, please email Simon Eves.
Closing date for receipt of tenders is Friday 23rd April 2021.
Call for tenders now open
Research on WEEE matching
Material Focus has opened a call for tenders for a new technical research project called ‘A UK WEEE Matching System: A feasibility study of options’.
Matching, or allocation, of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is widely used outside the UK.
This two-part project requires:
- research on WEEE matching systems in Europe at least, but potentially further afield as well;
- presentation of options for the use of matching in the UK WEEE system.
To apply for the tender, to review the brief, and for terms and conditions, please email Simon Eves.
Closing date for receipt of tenders is 1 April 2021.
2. Recycling and reuse services
We invest in organisations who are expanding collection and processing services for reuse and recycling, as well as driving awareness of these services among local residents. Together these make it easier for everyone to reuse or recycle their unwanted electricals.
Since 2017 we have invested £1.5m in local authorities, charities and community organisations working to improve the collection, reuse and recycling network.
Our most recent funding round for projects aimed at expansion of recycling services is now closed.
To hear about future funding rounds, please register for updates below.
Did you know?
1,450,000 tonnes
That’s the amount of unwanted electricals available to be reused or recycled in the UK.
But according to research commissioned by Recycle Your Electricals, at least 500,000 tonnes are being thrown away, hoarded, stolen, or illegally exported.
