Seven cyclists from the REPIC WEEE Cycle event were granted special access to HMP Hatfield today as the Recycling Lives Charity unveiled that its HMP Academies programme in Doncaster had recycled over 100,000 end of life electricals during 2022.

To mark the 15 year anniversary of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations across the UK, REPIC, the UK’s leading WEEE producer compliance scheme was joined by Charlie Jackson, a Recycling Lives Charity Trustee and Dave Allen, Managing Director from Recycling Lives Compliance Services  on the eleventh stage of the 15 day cycling event.

Travelling from Doncaster to Grantham (Monday 12^th June) a distance of 75 miles, the REPIC WEEE Cycle Network event aims to bring together the wider sector to celebrate the milestone achievements of those involved in the reuse and recycling of waste electricals since its inception 15 years ago. In total, the 15 day, 15 location and 15 great stories event, will cover a distance of over 850 miles, from Alness in the Highlands to Sittingbourne, Kent.

Celebrating 15 great stories along the route, and joining up a network of AATFs, Local Authority sites, repair and reuse initiatives, the REPIC WEEE Cycle Network event is also providing an opportunity to look forward to what lies ahead in both the forthcoming WEEE consultation and the transition to a more circular economy.

To mark the occasion and milestone achievement, before departure, the REPIC cyclists toured the HMP Hatfield site. The visitors heard first-hand how the HMP Academies programme has engaged participants to undertake training and work to better support them into skilled work on release from prison. During 2022, HMP Doncaster prisoners successfully recycled 113,500 units, including 92,000 flat panel display TVs and 20,000 CRT TVs. REPIC works in partnership with Recycling Lives, supporting the growth in the programme by supplying end of life electricals collected through its arrangements with a number of local authority contracts.

Impressively, HMP Hatfield has a 0% reoffending rate for prisoners released from the Recycling Lives workshops since March 2022. Seven out of the eight prisoners released in this time period all went into, and are still in, full time employment.

Louise Grantham, Chief Executive of REPIC, comments: “To see first-hand how the work of the Recycling Lives Charity is supporting the prisoners to deliver impressive results in the processing of waste electricals, is a shining example of how social value can be achievement from a commercial arrangement.

“Congratulations to all those involved with the programme at HMP Hatfield, it’s been a real privilege to share this milestone with the team as our 15 year WEEE Cycle event passes through Doncaster.”

Alasdair Jackson, Chief Executive of Recycling Lives Charity, said of the visit:

“It was great to welcome the team to see what we do at HMP Hatfield. WEEE recycling is an important part of our rehabilitation programme. It creates meaningful work opportunities, allowing people to develop a range of skills while being supported to change their lives. We support people to secure good work, stable housing and enjoy decent lifestyles upon release, to reduce their reoffending risk. Our participants at HMP Hatfield are a great example of this – recycling thousands of units and turning their lives round in the process.”

The REPIC WEEE Cycle Network event will conclude on Friday 16th June when the rolling peloton of riders pulls into the 15th and final destination in Sittingbourne, Kent around midday. They will have completed 850 miles across 15 days and raised a total of £15k for local good causes along the way.