Not-for-profit Material Focus has launched a new £1m initiative to promote recycling, the Circular Electricals Fund.

E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. In the UK alone, over 100,000 tonnes of electricals are scrapped every year, and over 800 million unused, unwanted and discarded electricals are hidden away in our homes. These electricals contain precious materials, which according to Material Focus’s research, could be worth nearly £1bn, including copper, lithium and gold.

The £1m will be used to fund projects that will provide “innovation with impact” with up to £150,000 per successful project. Applications are invited from UK organisations, including industry bodies, nonprofits, private companies, compliance schemes, universities, and research institutions. The closing date for application is 14 August 2025.

Scott Butler, executive director, Material Focus said: “We have already funded over 60 projects that make it easier to fix, donate, and recycle existing electricals for over 10 million people across the UK. However, we are designing and making too many products without full consideration of the materials they are made from, the repairability of them, and how easy it is to recover useful parts and materials.”

Project applications will need to demonstrate practical, scalable solutions that enhance resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact and encourage collaboration.

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