Whirlpool announces 850,000 recycled units at Peterborough site

Whirlpool along side its brands of Hotpoint and Indesit has announced that in the last 15 years over 850,000 appliances have been refurbished or recycled through its onsite processes at the company’s Peterborough site.

This comes as Whirlpool welcomed a peloton of five cyclists – on pedal and e-bikes – at the start of the thirteenth stage of the REPIC WEEE Cycle Network event last week.

Whirlpool is a founding member of REPIC, a Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment producer compliance scheme established by producers to handle their WEEE recycling obligations.

Members of the REPIC team were joined by Defra’s Paul Hallett on the thirteenth stage of the 15 day cycling event and welcomed on site by Whirlpool’s Environmental Manager, Steve Wilde, Reworks Manager Lewis Dobbs and Supply Chain Director, Alistair Dobson.

Ian Moverly, UK Communications Director for Whirlpool, said: “In the last 15 years we have made great strides in moving towards a complete circular production process. 85% of what has passed through the site has been given a second life, with the remaining 130,000 units recycled by our on-site recycling partner. We have also collected a further 165,000 tons of appliances to be recycled since 2010, providing the opportunity for the materials to be reused in new products. As well as opening three in-house factory outlet stores that are open to the public in Peterborough, Gateshead and Yate. We hope to open our fourth by the end of the year.”

Whirlpool has voluntarily implemented a spares and repairs programme that helps customers have access to the necessary products to repair their machines. It has continued to expand the program and has invested more than 2 million pounds in the last few years.

Louise Grantham, Chief Executive of REPIC, added: “The recently introduced right to repair legislation places the spotlight on the requirement for manufacturers to provide spares, repairs and reuse. For many REPIC members, like Whirlpool, it was a clear opportunity to showcase the extensive repair and reuse facilities that have already been in operation for many years.

“Today’s visit is the perfect platform to share the collective achievements of many producers who wish to ensure that repairs are done to the right standard, using the right parts. REPIC is supporting its producer scheme members with their refurbishment and recycling processes and we are delighted to share the milestone achievement with Whirlpool on today’s visit.”

The cyclists will have completed 850 miles across 15 days and raised a total of £15,000 for local good causes along the way.