The fund will provide nearly $6.2 million in interest-free loans to e-scrap processing facilities and over $740,000 in grants to nonprofit electronics reuse organizations. | science photo/Shutterstock
A producer-backed group in the U.K. is providing interest-free loans and grants to help keep electronics recycling companies in business through the coronavirus pandemic.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Fund (WEEE Fund) will provide 5 million British pounds (nearly $6.2 million) in interest-free loans to e-scrap processing facilities and 600,000 pounds (about $741,000) in grants to nonprofit electronics reuse organizations, Business Green reports.
The fund has been set up to provide “rapid help and support” to the struggling sector, Scott Butler, executive director of the WEEE Fund, told Business Green.
WEEE Fund is administered by the Joint Trade Association, which represents producers of electronics and electrical appliances.
As is the case in North America, many e-scrap recycling companies in the U.K. have seen a steep drop in feedstock coming from municipal drop-off centers.
The WEEE Forum has also launched an education campaign urging consumers not to trash their old electronics. Called Recycle Your Electricals, the campaign includes a website directing people to recycling opportunities.
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