Blitz your e-waste
Electrical or electronic goods are often given as presents - the good news is, you can recycle the old ones!
Kettles, toasters, hairdryers, cameras, mobile phones - these are some of the small electrical items we just throw in the bin or leave to gather dust in the back of our cupboards.
Yet it's easy to recycle electronic goods - simply take it to the right place for collection and it can be safely recycled into separate materials. It's all part of the UK Regulations for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, or "WEEE".
What can I recycle?
- Does it have a mains cable?
- Does it use replaceable batteries?
- Does it need charging?
- Does it have the crossed-out wheelie bin logo on it?
If so, you will be able to recycle it.
Where can I recycle?
Many local authority recycling centres accept waste electrical and electronic products but check the postcode locator first - as not all sites have the right facilities.
TIP: If you are making a special journey to the recycling centre, remember to check around your home to see if there is anything else you want to take at the same time.
Find your local electronic recycling site
Can I take back to a shop?
Some retailers take back e-waste in their stores while other retailers have chosen to support the collection of electronic waste through local authority recycling centres.
Check which stores offer a take back scheme.
What do stores take back?
A few retailers will take back your old electrical item in store, for example, when you purchase a new item from them, however not all shops do this. It's best to check first whether your retailer has chosen to take back electrical waste in their store or chosen to fund the local authority scheme.
Mobile phone retailers will either take your old phone back in-store or provide you with a post bag to send the phone to a reuse/recycling centre.
Producer obligations
All companies classed as "producers" under the UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations have to provide consumers with an option for recycling waste electronic products. This recycling service must be free to the consumer from the point of collection - so companies are entitled to charge you for picking up electronic waste items from your home.
Retailers are known as "Distributors" under the WEEE Regulations. Distributor obligations include providing you with information on recycling at the point of purchase. For further information on distributor obligations and enforcement check out the VCA website.
See our alpahbetical list of retailers who are supporting the network of local authority recycling centres.
