What You Can Do With Old Electrical Goods
Every year in the UK we generate enough electrical waste to fill Wembley stadium six times over. This electrical waste includes items such as fridges, televisions, toys and hairdryers.
The idea of so much electrical waste is sobering, but by re-using and recycling electrical goods where possible, we can reduce this figure significantly.
The problem with Electrical Waste
If electrical waste is not recycled or re-used it is either disposed of by being sent to landfill or being incinerated.The raw materials are destroyed rather than being recycled. This means at the same time as electrical items clogging up landfill, raw materials are being used up to make new electrical items.
A lot of electrical items contain hazardous materials. Toxic substances include arsenic, bromine and HCFC.
Fridges and freezers can be especially harmful. 3 million fridges and freezers are estimated to be thrown away annually in the UK. Both give out harmful gases which are believed to harm the ozone layer and contribute to climate change.
Finding suitable landfill sites for hazardous waste is becoming increasingly difficult.
Re-using Electrical Goods
If electrical goods still work it’s worth offering them up on sites such Freecycle. Many charity shops will also accept electrical goods, as long as they have a way of testing that the items are safe. A number of charity shops and second-hand shops are now dedicated to household goods and they will almost certainly accept electrical items.Many organisations now request and collect electrical items from UK households. Even if the items no longer work they will often still be welcome as staff are trained to refurbish and mend items. The recycled electrical items are then usually used to pass onto those on low incomes or to rehousing schemes.
These electrical waste and furniture recycling schemes are often community projects and also create jobs for local people and provide skills and training to volunteers.
Local Authorities will have information on these schemes,
Recycling Electrical Waste
If an items isn’t suitable for re-use, it can usually be recycled and dismantled so that all the useful parts and materials are extracted.Even when electrical items have to be incinerated (after everything that can be removed has been) it is still possible to then extract some important metals at this stage, A chemical process is used to extract other metals such as gold and silver.
What To Do if You Have Electrical Waste to Dispose Of
If you haven’t been able to re-use your waste electrical items in any suitable way, it’s important that you make sure the items are collected and disposed of correctly. Your Local Authority may be able to arrange for the items to be collected and they should be the first port of call.They will either send someone to collect the electrical goods, or direct enquirers onto another relevant organisation, or suggest a drop off point. If they collect the goods, there may be a small charge.
Electrical Waste Checklist
- Can the item be repaired?
- Can it be repaired or given away?
- Ask the council where to dispose of small items such as a hairdryer or toy. Never throw them in the bin.
- Ask the council to collect large items or how to dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way.
