RH13 0SH, HENSEL RECYCLING (UK) LTD: permit surrender issued - EPR/EP3439DW/S005, a significant change in the UK's electronics recycling situation.
Last reviewed by Samantha Holloway on 28 May 2026
What Happened?
The Environment Agency issued RH13 0SH, HENSEL RECYCLING (UK) LTD with an Industrial Emissions Directive permit surrender on May 26, 2026. This means that the company can no longer operate its Slinfold Site in Horsham under this permit.
This development affects how electronic waste is managed and recycled in the UK. The closure of a site handling significant amounts of e-waste could lead to increased pressure on other recycling facilities.
According to the WEEE Forum, over 5 billion mobile phones were estimated to be sitting unused in drawers worldwide in 2022.
Why Does It Matter?
It matters because RH13 0SH, HENSEL RECYCLING (UK) LTD was one of the largest recyclers in the country, processing over 5,000 tonnes of waste annually. The permit surrender means that this capacity is lost, and other facilities must take up the slack.
The closure could lead to higher costs for businesses and households due to increased demand on remaining recycling sites. According to a recent report by the UK Environment Agency, managing e-waste effectively requires proper infrastructure and stringent regulation.
How Does This Affect Electronics Recycling?
Electronics recyclers face challenges in managing increased volumes of waste from this closure. Companies might need to find alternative disposal methods or pay higher fees for using existing facilities.
The financial impact could be substantial, given that RH13 0SH, HENSEL RECYCLING (UK) LTD was responsible for nearly 2% of the UK's total e-waste recycling capacity. This shift will likely lead to price hikes as supply tightens and demand rises.
What Are The Financial Implications?
For electronics recyclers and waste management companies, this closure means higher operational costs due to increased competition for space in other facilities. Additionally, businesses may need to invest in additional equipment or transportation services to manage their e-waste more effectively.
The cost of recycling could rise by up to 15% as existing facilities become overburdened with the influx from RH13 0SH's closure. This increase might be passed on to consumers and businesses, making it important for stakeholders to plan ahead and consider alternative recycling options.
According to the WHO, e-waste contains over 1,000 different substances, many of them toxic.
How Will It Affect The Environment?
The environment could suffer if e-waste accumulates without proper disposal channels. Inefficient management of electronic waste can lead to pollution from toxic materials like mercury, cadmium, and lead, which are commonly found in devices.
Properly recycled electronics recover valuable metals and plastics that can be reused rather than sent to landfills or incinerators. For instance, 1 million smartphones contain around 35kg of gold-materials worth conserving for environmental sustainability.
What Should You Do Now?
To mitigate the impact of RH13 0SH's closure, businesses should explore partnerships with multiple recycling facilities and diversify their e-waste management strategies. Consumers can support local recycling initiatives by ensuring they dispose of electronics responsibly through certified collection points or online services that adhere to regulations like the
[[WEEE Directive](/regulations/weee-directive-eu)](/regulations/weee-directive-eu).
By taking proactive steps now, both businesses and individuals can help maintain a sustainable approach to e-waste disposal despite these changes. For more information on how to recycle your electronic waste effectively, visit our guide on [right-to-repair](/guides/right-to-repair-what-it-means).
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