Electronic Equipment – Recycle it
WEEE – (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment)
Recycle your electrical goods and SWEEEP Ltd will donate 10% of their recycling charge to Kent Wildlife Trust
Why recycle electrical goods?
New regulations aim to reduce the amount of electrical items that end up in the bin because it’s much better for the environment if the dangerous substances they contain (such as lead & mercury) are removed.
At least 1 Million tonnes of electrical equipment is thrown away each year in the UK. That’s about the same weight as 20 Titanics.
Electrical goods are becoming increasingly short lived and so ever increasing quantities of out of date and broken equipment such as TV’s, computers and small electrical items, are thrown away.
Waste electrical goods make up the fastest growing waste stream in the UK.
Items suitable for recycling are known as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). All electrical items can be recycled and the disposal of any dangerous parts managed.
Which electrical items can be managed?
- Small electrical items that have a plug – TV’s, DVD players, VCR’s, PC’s, fax machines, DIY tools, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, hair dryers, microwave ovens etc
- Large electrical items that have a plug fridges, freezers, tumble dryers, cookers, dishwashers etc
- Battery operated items such as hand held video games, ipods, mobile phones, laptops, thermostats and watches.
- Electrical Toys – either powered via a plug of batteries
- Lighting – fluorescent light tubes and low energy long life light bulbs (but NOT ordinary filament light bulbs)
- Other electrical items – telephones, smoke detectors, shavers etc
All types of battery can be recycled – including watch, calculator and car batteries
I am not sure if an item can be recycled or where – how do I find out?
All electronic goods can be recycled. You can take your WEEE items to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (tip). Large or bulky items can be collected by contacting the relevant council, who usually charge a small fee. Alternatively if you are buying a new item ask the retailer if they will take away old items.
If you are not sure if an item can be recycled, further advice is available on the websites below
Medway Council
http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/environment/recyclenow/hwrc.htm
Kent CountyCouncil
http://www.kent.gov.uk/environment/recycling-rubbish-and-waste/recycling/household-waste-recycling-centres/
For business/commercial WEEE disposal
www.sweeep.co.uk or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Further information can be found at:
www.letsrecycle.com
www.recyclenowpartners.org.uk
www.wrap.org.uk
www.kentenviropower.co.uk
www.direct.gov.uk
