Just as some retailers collect your old appliances for recycling, a number of them will also accept your old small electricals for recycling in store when you buy new ones. For example, mobile phone retailers may take your old phone back or provide you with a post bag to send the phone off to be reconditioned or recycled.
Check which stores run take-back schemes here.
Other retailers contribute into a scheme which supports the network of local authority recycling centres.
All companies classed as "producers" under the UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations must provide you with a means of recycling waste electronic products. Whilst these companies may charge you for picking up electronic waste items from your home, the cost of recycling process thereafter must be free to consumers.
Retailers are known as "Distributors" under the WEEE Regulations and they are obliged by law to provide you with information on recycling at the point of purchase. For further information on distributor obligations and enforcement check out the VCA website.
