Recycle your tech

2nd May 2024

Don’t put your unwanted cables and other tech in the bin – recycle it!

The UK is currently one of the largest producers of household e-waste in the world - an estimated 2 million tonnes of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) items are discarded by householders and companies every year. (WEEE includes most products that have a plug or need a battery.)

When broken or unwanted electronics are dumped in landfill, toxic substances like lead and mercury can leach into soil and water. Electronics also contain valuable non-renewable resources including gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminium and cobalt. This means that when we dispose of them without recycling, we are throwing away precious materials.

There are a few options:

1. Many local authorities will do a kerbside collection when collecting your landfill rubbish – just leave your small electrical items (including cables/batteries) in a carrier bag beside the bin

2. Retailers selling electrical items are required to take back waste of the same type, or function, as the item you are buying from them

3. Currys – you can hand over your unwanted tech at a store (even if you are not a customer) and in return they will give you a money off voucher to spend in store (subject to conditions) https://www.currys.co.uk/services/delivery-installation/recycling.html#how

4. Many charity shops will now take it, either for reuse or recycling

5. Your local household waste recycling facility – will accept electrical items of any size

6. If your item still works you could sell it, or offer it on a freecycle website

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