Electronics

In the UK we needlessly throw away far too many electrical items. In fact, the UK as a whole throws away around a million tonnes of electrical items every year. This valuable resource can be reused, repaired or recycled to make more products. Follow these tips and reduce the amount of electrical items you throw away to landfill.

What happens to electrical my electricals when I recycle them? 

Advice

If replacing a broken electrical item, ask the retailer where you bought the product if they'll take products back to get them recycled

• Take small electrical appliances to your local civic amenity site – never throw them away in the general bin (e.g. your black bag/bin)
  
  
• Arrange for your local authority to collect larger electrical equipment (fridges, washing machines etc). Some local authorities provide a free collection service and others charge
  
  
• Large electrical items - arrange for an electrical retailer delivering new equipment to take away the old appliance. Some retailers will even recycle the packaging from your new appliance once they have delivered it - make sure you check this before you buy from them 
  
  
• Contact your local community reuse scheme to find out if they accept electrical items – they may be able to be repaired for a 2nd life
  
  
• To find out about facilities in your area – including reuse schemes - visit the Recycling and Reuse Locator at www.wasteawarenesswales.org.uk/ and type in your postcode or town, local authority and choose ‘electrical’ from the dropdown menu.

 

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment WEEE Recycling TV advert

(English language only)

Watch this animation and find out how easy it is to recycle your broken electrical items at your nearest recycling centre:

 

How to recycle a television

(link to BBC News website: Throw away Britain - English language only)

Click on the below screenshot to view:

 

How other electronic waste is recycled

(link to BBC News website - English language only)

Click on the below screenshot to view: