London homes buy nearly twice as many electrical goods

Research published by ReLondon, in partnership with the University of Oxford, shows that London households buy almost twice as much electrical and electronic equipment as they discard.

The average London household buys about 57.8kg of new electrical and electronic goods each year and gets rid of 30.2kg, the findings show. Between 2023 and 2024, the volume of these items held in homes across the capital rose by 4.4%, leaving an estimated 700kg in the average home.

The report tracks the movement of electrical and electronic equipment across London from purchase and use to disposal. It covers household goods as well as products used by businesses and institutions, from smartphones and laptops to washing machines and solar panels.

Consumption has risen sharply. In 2024, households, businesses and institutions in London bought 255,600 tonnes of new electrical and electronic equipment and discarded 134,500 tonnes, according to the analysis.

Households accounted for most of what was thrown away, with 80% of electrical and electronic items discarded in London during 2024 coming from homes rather than businesses or public bodies.

The research also points to a large reserve of products that could stay in use for longer. It estimates that around a quarter of the 134,500 tonnes discarded across the capital could have been reused or repaired rather than thrown away.

Had those items been redistributed instead of disposed of, they could have met close to 10% of London’s total demand for new electrical and electronic goods. The analysis also found that households currently repair or pass on only 21% of products at the end of their first life.

Waste routes

The study also highlights disposal methods. Of the electrical and electronic items discarded in 2024, 47.5% went through formal routes such as commercial collections, retail take-back schemes, council collections, household waste recycling centres, and doorstep or bring-bank services.

Another 52.3%, equal to 70,700 tonnes, went through non-official routes. Of that amount, 62.3% was placed in residual waste.

Households were responsible for 63% of the total volume of improperly disposed electrical and electronic items. Businesses and institutions, however, discarded more per unit: the average London business sent the equivalent weight of 24 laptops to non-official routes each year, compared with six laptops for the average household.

The research also examined emissions linked to the production and disposal of these products, excluding emissions created during use. It found that London households’ electrical and electronic goods generated 5.9 million tonnes of CO2e in 2024, rising to 9.1 million tonnes when business and institutional equipment was included.

According to the report, that footprint is larger than the carbon impact of the capital’s packaging and clothing sectors, though smaller than that of its food system. Five categories made up 41.9% of the household carbon footprint: small IT equipment, games consoles, flat-panel televisions, photovoltaic panels and washing machines.

Repair potential

The report suggests that diverting more discarded items into repair and reuse would materially change the picture. It estimates that household repair rates could rise from 1.7kg to 4.8kg per household if reusable and repairable goods now being thrown away were recovered, while reuse could increase from 8.1kg to 12.4kg.

Lamia Sbiti, Director of Business and Sector Support at ReLondon, said: “While this research highlights a gap between our current habits and our true potential, the exciting reality is that the foundations for a circular future are already here. From the everyday Londoners engaging in repair and redistribution to London’s growing ecosystem of innovators and repairers, the ingredients for change are in place. By tapping into these forces, we have a unique opportunity to shape a system that unlocks social value for residents, drives economic growth for the city and tackles climate change head-on.”

Mete Coban, Chair of ReLondon, said the study clarifies the scale of the problem in the capital. “Londoners are using more electrical items than ever before, from laptops and phones to kettles and air fryers. As we use more of these products, ReLondon’s new report helps us understand the impact they have on waste and pollution and shows where we can make a difference. Too many electrical items are still being thrown away when they could be repaired, reused or recycled. By helping people keep products for longer and recycle them properly, we can cut waste, reduce pollution, create green jobs, support our transition to a low-carbon, zero-waste city and continue building a greener, fairer London for everyone.”

Academic researchers involved in the work said the study provides a first broad picture of how products move through the capital’s economy. Lucia Corsini, Head of the Circular Economy and Sustainability Lab at the University of Oxford, said: “We are delighted to have undertaken this complex analysis of London’s electrical and electronic equipment system in partnership with ReLondon. For the first time, the study quantifies first-life and second-life pathways across a diverse range of household and non-household products – everything from a kettle to a washing machine to a solar panel – while also shedding light on informal and improper waste handling and treatment. We hope these findings provide an evidence base to support more informed industry and policy decision-making, helping to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.”

Hannah Jameson, Corporate Director for Delivery, Innovation and Climate at London Councils, said: “This report provides a valuable evidence base for understanding how London can reduce waste, recover more value from electricals, and build a more resilient circular economy. It highlights the importance of working together across boroughs, businesses and communities to increase repair, reuse and proper collection of electrical and electronic equipment.”