Digital switchover itself does not require any equipment to be thrown away. Many people already have compliant TVs and/or other suitable equipment. That trend will increase over the next few years.

Latest research prepared for Government by the Market Transformation Programme confirms that switchover is not expected to cause any significant overall increase in TV or recorder disposals but may affect the timing of disposal of some equipment that people choose not to adapt – such as rarely used TV sets.

Government will continue to work with Digital UK to ensure that consumers have up to date information and do not unnecessarily dispose of television equipment, and will continue to encourage manufacturers and retailers to develop and promote equipment that is switchover-compliant, reducing the need for future equipment disposals.

Any waste electrical equipment produced as a result of the switchover will be disposed of subject to the requirements of the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. The WEEE regulations, which implement the Directive, make producers of electrical goods financially responsible for the collection, treatment and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.