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Environment and greener living
Reusing and disposing of electrical equipment
Every year, people in Britain throw away about one million tonnes of electrical items. Save money and energy by keeping items like computers and mobiles for longer. Help stop harmful chemicals getting into the environment by recycling electrical items, rather than putting them with household rubbish.
Keep equipment for longer
Most mobile phones will work for at least five years
Making electrical items uses a lot of energy and valuable materials, including precious metals like silver. Electrical equipment can also contain chemicals like lead and mercury. These chemicals can get into the environment and harm people or animals if items are not disposed of carefully. You can save money and cut waste by holding onto your equipment for longer, so try the following tips.
Upgrade computers
If your computer is getting a bit old, you could:
- think about improving it rather than buying a new one, by increasing memory (RAM) or replacing the hard drive
- ask in a computer shop or search online to get advice, parts and technical help for upgrading
- keep your existing monitor if you do get a new computer
Keep mobile phones for longer
There's no need to replace your mobile phone every year; most will work for at least five years. Hanging on to your current phone can save you money, as the cost of a new handset is usually included in monthly tariffs. Ask your phone company about the different tariffs they have available if you don’t upgrade your handset ('SIM only').
Reuse equipment
Electrical items, including cables and plugs, can often be reused
Unwanted electrical items, including cables and plugs, can often be reused. In fact, over half of electronic items that are thrown away are still working or could easily be repaired. Try finding a new home for unwanted electrical items by:
- searching online for organisations like Freecycle or Freegle, which can help you to find someone who wants your old equipment
- using the Furniture Reuse Network’s online map to find your nearest reuse charity, many of which will take electrical goods
- looking on your council’s website, which may list local charity schemes that accept electrical items
Reusing computers
If your computer equipment is in good working order, you may be able to sell it. Try advertising online, in a local paper or on local notice boards.
You could also give away your old computer or other items like printers, mice, power cables and keyboards. Try using the links below to find a new home for your PC.
Before you pass on your computer or recycle it, make sure you fully delete any information that you don’t want anyone else to see. Use the link below to find out how to do this.
Recycle electrical goods
This symbol means you shouldn't dispose of the item with normal household waste
If you have to dispose of old electrical equipment, make sure it is recycled safely. This will help save energy and stop harmful chemicals damaging the environment. The ‘crossed out wheelie bin’ symbol found on many electrical items means that they should not be put with normal household rubbish.
When buying new electrical items
When you buy a new electrical item, ask the shop you buy it from how they will help you dispose of the item you are replacing. As part of the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment regulations (WEEE), they must do one of the following:
- take the old item from you in their shop and dispose of it safely
- take the old item away when they deliver a new item
- tell you where you can take the old item for recycling free of charge
Other recycling options
You can also dispose of electrical waste by:
- taking it to your local waste and recycling centre (civic amenity site) where it will be recycled safely
- arranging for your local authority to collect large items from your home (you can be charged for this service)
The links below will let you enter details of where you live and then direct you to local services and information.
Recycle batteries
Many electrical items, like laptops and mobile phones, have batteries which can be recycled.
Some local councils already collect batteries with doorstep recycling, or provide bins at local waste and recycling centres. The link below will show you if there is a battery recycling point near you.
From February 2010, you will be able to recycle all household batteries, either at a supermarket or at shops that sell batteries.
