How Should I Dispose of My Electrical Equipment?

With new and improved technology released to the world year-round, and mobile phones and high tech appliances more valued than any other household item, there is a growing number of household electrical equipment purchased in the UK every year. As a result, the amount of electrical waste we throw away is increasing by around 5% per year, the fastest growing waste stream in the UK.

An estimated 170 million new electrical items are purchased in the UK alone each year, but over 75% currently ends up in landfill. It’s essential that we keep up with the rate of new electrical equipment people are buying for their homes, providing easy methods to correctly dispose of electrical equipment so it can be recycled.

What items can be recycled?

WEEE recycling legislation covers both small and large household electrical items; all of which can be collected and processed by our team at Brown Recycling.

Small WEEE items include:

• Hairdryers
• Razors
• Toothbrushers
• Drills, electric screwdrivers
• Computers
• Mobile phones
• Irons
• Kettles
• Toasters

Large WEEE house appliances:

• Fridges
• Freezers
• Tumble dryers
• Washing machine
• Dishwasher

How do I recycle my electrical items?

There are numerous ways to recycle your electrical items:

Electrical Recycling Points

The WEEE Directive Regulations outline household electrical equipment that can be recycled. As a result of the regulations, your city will have special recycling points for small household electrical items.

You can check your local recycling points here.

Retailers

Under the WEEE directive, all retailers must provide of disposing of old household electrical equipment when customers are sold a new version of the same item. Many retailers therefore do a collection service or a store take-back scheme.

For companies and organisations, relying on local retailers or collection points isn’t convenient. Our team at Brown Recycling are well equipped to handle WEEE recycling needs of all size. We take care of an array of electrical equipment under WEEE legislation, working with many companies to ensure their waste is disposed of in the correct and legal way.

Other electrical equipment:

Batteries

Your household may be a part of the black box recycling scheme. If so, you can simply leave household batteries in a clear bag on top of your normal bins. Alternatively, there are many stores who operate a battery take back scheme enabling you to recycle on the go.

Lightbulbs

Unbroken energy saving light bulbs can be recycled at recycling centres.  Local retailers also provide containers for recycling.

Brown Recycling are the leading waste management and recycling company in the Staffordshire area. We aim for zero to landfill with every job we take on, managing commercial and domestic waste around the area in the most environmentally friendly way we can.