Beatrice Lang
Electrical items are one of the fastest-growing waste streams, with 50 million tonnes of electronic waste produced globally in 2020. Many electrical items contain valuable resources, such as copper, aluminium, gold, and steel, which can be rescued and reused. It is important to dispose of electrical items correctly to avoid causing harm to the environment. Electrical items should not be put in the bin, but instead, they can be recycled at designated drop-off points or through in-home collection services offered by some local authorities and retailers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items | Radios, CD/DVD players, electronic toys and games, phones, TVs, printers, cameras, lamps, torches, Christmas tree lights, vacuum cleaners, smoke alarms, irons, toasters, computers, tablets, laptops, watches, smart speakers, batteries, vapes, cables, and other small electrical items |
| Disposal Methods | Reuse, donation to charities, drop-off at retailers, recycling at home or at a recycling centre, home collection, in-store disposal |
| Precautions | Remove personal data, take out batteries, lightbulbs, memory cards, and SIM cards, empty electricals of any paper, dust, or food |
| Hazards | If not disposed of properly, e-waste can cause hazardous substances to leak out and contaminate soil and water, harming wildlife and human health |
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What You'll Learn
Where to recycle electrical items
There are several options for recycling electrical items, including local council-run recycling centres, charities, and retailers. Many retailers will recycle your old appliance for free when you buy a new one, often on a ''like-for-like' basis. For example, if you buy a new charger, you can hand in your old one for recycling.
Some retailers, like Boots, have partnered with organisations like Material Focus to provide customers with more ways to reuse, repair, or recycle old electricals. Material Focus is a not-for-profit organisation that launched the Recycle Your Electricals Campaign to encourage and make it easier for people to recycle their unwanted electricals. The campaign has a UK-wide locator with over 26,600 locations to donate or recycle old electricals.
Additionally, some local councils offer small electrical recycling initiatives, such as kerbside collection or Bring Banks specifically designed for small electrical recycling. Residents can also book a home collection of their small electrical items online.
It is important to note that anything with a plug, cable, or battery can be recycled, and these items should always be recycled separately from household rubbish to avoid environmental and health risks.
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How to prepare them for recycling
If your electrical items are still in working condition, you can pass them on to someone else or donate them to a charity. Many charities accept electrical items in good condition that they can sell or pass on. You can also try to fix items before getting rid of them.
If you have bought a new electrical item, some retailers offer to responsibly recycle your old device. Some retailers also offer free recycling schemes or take-back options. You can also drop off your old electrical items at your local recycling centre.
Before disposing of your electrical items, make sure to remove any batteries, loose lightbulbs, memory cards, and SIM cards. You should also empty the electricals of any paper, dust, or food. If you are disposing of smart devices, such as phones, tablets, laptops, or computers, make sure to delete all personal and private data.
Some local authorities accept small electricals as part of their home recycling scheme. They may have special instructions on how to put them out for collection, such as placing small electrical items in a clear plastic bag tied to your recycling bin.
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Why you shouldn't put them in the bin
Electrical items contain hazardous substances such as lead and mercury. When disposed of in a bin, they will likely end up in landfill sites, where these toxic materials can contaminate the surrounding water and soil sources. This poses serious health risks to both humans and wildlife.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, also includes valuable, non-renewable resources such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, and aluminium. Improper disposal of electrical items means these materials are lost. Furthermore, when electrical items are simply thrown away, they cannot be repaired and reused, which has a negative environmental impact in terms of carbon footprint and green practices.
Some electrical items contain batteries, which pose a fire and explosion hazard. Batteries can leak corrosive liquids, which is dangerous for both people and the environment. Electrical items with batteries should be recycled with extra care. They should be stored in a fire-resistant bin and emptied regularly.
Small electrical items can be packed with materials that can be reclaimed for reuse, such as copper, silver, gold, and palladium. If these items end up in a mixed recycling and trash stream, they may not be separated and used properly, which results in a loss of valuable resources.
There are several options for disposing of electrical items responsibly. Many local authorities accept small electrical items as part of their home recycling scheme. Some reuse centres and charities accept electrical items in good condition to sell or pass on. Local Household Waste Recycling Sites have containers for broken electricals, and some offer free collection of large electrical items that are in good working order.
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How to donate electrical items
When it comes to donating electrical items, it's important to ensure they are in good working condition and safe to use. Here are some detailed steps and guidelines to help you through the process:
Prepare the Electrical Items for Donation:
Start by evaluating the condition of your electrical items. Ensure they are fully functional, with no missing parts or damaged components. This includes checking power cords for any splits or exposed wiring. Clean the items and ensure they are free of any dirt, stains or unpleasant odours. It is also advisable to include the original packaging, user manuals, and any associated accessories, such as remote controls or chargers.
Identify Organisations that Accept Electrical Donations:
Several organisations accept electrical item donations. One option is the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which operates in various locations like Wellington, New Zealand. They accept certain electrical items, provided they are in good working order and meet health and safety standards. Another option is the SPCA New Zealand, which offers a free pick-up service for electrical donations in specific regions, including Auckland, Waikato, Christchurch, and Dunedin. They accept a wide range of electrical items, from smart TVs to household appliances, as long as they are safe and in good working condition.
Contact the Organisation and Confirm Their Specific Guidelines:
Before making your donation, it is essential to contact the organisation to confirm their specific guidelines and any restrictions they may have. For example, some organisations may have different procedures for donating larger items or those requiring electrical testing. It is also worth inquiring about any additional services they provide, such as pick-up options for bulky items.
Drop Off or Arrange Pick-Up for Your Electrical Donations:
Once you've confirmed the organisation's guidelines, you can either drop off your electrical items during their operating hours or arrange for a pick-up service if they offer one. If you're dropping off donations, ensure you do so within their specified hours to avoid any potential issues with theft or damage. Some organisations, like the New Zealand Red Cross, offer a free pick-up service for bulky items in certain areas, so it's worth inquiring about such services when you contact them.
Obtain a Donation Receipt:
After donating your electrical items, remember to obtain a donation receipt from the organisation. This receipt can be used for tax deduction purposes, especially if you're donating to a charitable organisation. It's a way to give back to the community while also receiving a potential tax benefit.
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What happens to recycled electrical items
When recycled, electrical items are processed to separate the various materials they contain, such as plastics and precious metals like gold, copper, platinum, and palladium. These materials are then used to create new products. For example, the copper motor in a hover mower can be turned into copper pipes, jewellery, or wires for new electronic products. Circuit boards from games consoles can be recycled into catalytic converters, mobile phones, and jewellery.
Recycling electrical items saves resources and energy. For instance, making a new desktop computer and monitor uses over 240 kg of fossil fuel, 21 kg of chemicals, and 1.5 tonnes of freshwater. By reusing and recycling these materials, we can reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing new products.
It is important to recycle electrical items properly to prevent hazardous substances from leaking into the soil and water, causing harm to wildlife and human health. When electrical waste, or "e-waste", ends up in landfills, it can release toxic chemicals into the environment. This is a particular risk for people in low- and middle-income countries, where there may be a lack of appropriate regulations, infrastructure, and training for e-waste recycling.
To ensure proper recycling of electrical items, individuals can donate or bring their unwanted items to local reuse centres, charities, or recycling drop-off points. Many retailers also offer free recycling schemes or take-back options. Some local authorities collect small electrical items as part of their home recycling schemes, although there may be special instructions for preparing items for collection.
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Frequently asked questions
Electrical items include anything with a plug, battery or cable. This can be anything from irons and toasters to mobile phones, computers, and TVs.
Some retailers, like B&Q, offer a home collection service for large electrical items for a fee. You can also check with your local council to see if they offer a collection service.
Many local councils accept small electrical items as part of their home recycling scheme. Check with your local council to see if they offer this service and if there are any special instructions for collection. You can also drop off small electrical items at your local recycling centre or retailer.
Yes, if you are disposing of smart devices such as phones, tablets, laptops or computers, make sure you remove memory cards, SIM cards and destroy any personal data. For items that contain batteries or lightbulbs, remove these and recycle them separately.
Yes, if your electrical items are still in working condition, you can donate them to reuse centres, charities or find a local cause to pass them on to.
