In anticipation of International E-Waste Day, Material Focus is initiating a nationwide campaign to address the millions of unused cables accumulating in UK households. The campaign, named “The Great Cable Challenge,” urges households, local authorities, retailers, schools, and community projects across the UK to collectively recycle 1 million cables.

International E-Waste Day, observed on October 14, encourages the recycling of old and unwanted electrical items. Cables, which contain at least 20% copper, lose this valuable material forever when discarded, according to Material Focus.

Research by Material Focus indicates that if one million people recycled at least one cable, it could prevent 5,000 kg of copper from ending up in landfills

The Great Cable Challenge seeks to simplify the reuse and recycling of old cables and other electrical items. Material Focus has developed a campaign toolkit to support local authorities, retailers, schools, and community projects across the UK in participating in the challenge. The toolkit includes a step-by-step guide for establishing a pop-up collection point for household electrical items.

Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, remarked on the toolkit, saying, “Almost all of us have old, forgotten cables stashed away at home – I have a box under my bed filled with cables I’ve kept ‘just in case’ but haven’t used in months or are broken.

“By recycling them or donating those that still work, we can repurpose or reclaim that valuable copper and prevent it from going to waste.

“The Great Cable Challenge is a simple way for everyone to make a significant, collective impact. By recycling at least one cable, people will realize how easy it is. Let’s come together this October and recycle one million cables.”