UK households bin 168m Christmas lights and fast tech' items a year

"The research by the non-profit group Material Focus found about 1.7bn was spent last year on Christmas lighting, including 39m sets of fairy lights. Consumers bought a further 28m light-up items such as garlands, wreaths, stars and snow globes, along with 23m light-up figures and characters and 16m pre-lit Christmas trees."

"The research was based on information provided by 4,000 UK adults, who were asked how many cheap light-up electrical items they bought and how many were thrown away. This was then extrapolated to the UK population giving a figure of 168m items consigned to the bin."

"The researchers said disposable technology was often powered by batteries that if thrown away or recycled incorrectly can be crushed in bin lorries, potentially sparking fires. There were more than 1,200 battery fires in bins and waste centres in 2023-24, an increase of 71% on the year before. Many were the result of poor disposal practices. Separate research found that 1.1bn of all types of electricals and 450m batteries are thrown away irresponsibly each year."

"Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, said: We understand fast tech' Christmas lights and gifts, and the traditions around them, help make Christmas the most joyful time of year for many. But as we reach the new year and the novelty's worn off or the festive lights have broken yet again, why not start 2026 by creating your own positive impact?"

A nonprofit study estimated 168 million light-up Christmas and other fast-tech items were discarded by UK households over the past year. Consumer spending on Christmas lighting reached about £1.7bn, including 39 million sets of fairy lights, plus 28 million light-up garlands, wreaths, stars and snow globes, 23 million light-up figures and characters, and 16 million pre-lit trees. The estimate was extrapolated from responses by 4,000 UK adults about purchases and disposals. Disposable items often use batteries that, if disposed of incorrectly, can be crushed in bin lorries and spark fires; over 1,200 battery fires occurred in 2023-24, a 71% increase.

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