Electrical buying group shortlisted for retailer e-waste initiative

An electrical buying group has been shortlisted at the 2026 Recycling and Waste Management Awards for its retailer e-waste initiative.

Combined Independents (Holdings) Ltd (CIH), the electrical buying group and part of Euronics, Europe's largest electrical buying group, has been recognised for a scheme developed in collaboration with Enva. The initiative provides members with a compliant, reuse-first solution for managing waste electricals and was shortlisted in the Waste Management Initiative in the Retail, Commercial and Public Sector category.

The annual awards recognise organisations and individuals that demonstrate innovation, impact and community leadership in recycling and waste management across the UK.

James Bevens, Operations Director of CIH, said: "Working in partnership with Enva enabled us to develop a practical solution that makes it easier for CIH members to manage e-waste responsibly, cost-effectively and in compliance with regulations. By prioritising refurbishment and reuse, the scheme delivers real environmental benefits. Being shortlisted is a testament to our ongoing commitment to supporting our members in operating more sustainably."

At the heart of the initiative is simplicity for Euronics agents. Stores can manage collections directly with Enva, giving them a flexible, self-managed route to handle unwanted appliances. Adoption has been strong, with over 350 retailers already benefiting from a streamlined process.

Following collection, appliances are processed through Enva's specialist facilities across the UK, where items that can be restored are refurbished, whilst non-repairable items are responsibly recycled.

Through the scheme, more than 99 per cent of large domestic appliances are diverted from landfill. Refurbished appliances are made available to Enva's charity partners, extending their lifecycle and supporting local communities.