Anything with a plug on it, or needs an electric current to work is generally classed as electrical waste. This could include a fridge, computer monitor, toaster or even electric toothbrush!
Burying electrical waste in landfill is not a good idea, because not only is it a waste of valuable metals, there is also a potential risk of pollution due to the toxins and chemicals in the products.
Recent European legislation (amusingly known as, WEEE) is intended to reduce the amount of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment sent to landfill. Before this legislation was introduced, almost three quarters of all electrical equipment ended up in landfill sites.
Whilst it may not always seem like it; life gets easier with electrical equipment. As a result there is now more WEEE than ever.
Can it be recycled?
Yes it can!
Targets have been set to recycle between 50 – 80% of electrical items, depending on the type.
WEEE legislation is helpful because it gets the manufactures to pay for the old electrical items to be recycled, rather than us picking up the bill.
Where can I recycle it?
If it comes from your house, Recycling Centres will recycle all your old electrical items.
Usually the Recycling Centre will have an area for large items such as washing machines, or cookers and a separate skip for smaller things like toasters, kettles, radios or your old phone.
Getting your old phone to a recycling centre is far easier than a washing machine. So if you are getting rid of an old washing machine, and having a new one delivered, you will probably find that the company will take your old one for free or for a small collection charge.
So, if you have an old electrical thing and are intending to replace it, take you old one with you and you will probably find that the shop you buy your replacement from will also take your old one. Brilliant!
This website is intended to provide a broad introduction to waste management in Devon, if it doesn’t answer all your waste questions, please contact us via the ‘Ask a question’ page on this site and we will do our best to answer it.
