Each year we throw away over 1.2 million tonnes of electrical and electronic waste – that’s enough to fill the new Wembley stadium six times.
Every year, the amount of electrical goods, ranging from hairdryers to washing machines, we throw away is increasing by around 5% – making it the fastest growing waste stream in the UK.
This increase is mainly down to:
- New technologies being developed
- More affluent society
- Disposable culture/lifestyle
There are many charitable organisations that will accept certain electrical appliances, such as mobile phones and old computers, which are reconditioned and sent out for re-use in developing countries.
Electrical goods can be recycled at the Bridge Road and Islington Street recycling centres. City residents can arrange for bulky items to be collected by calling 0116 252 7002.
Did you know ...?
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On average, each person in the UK buy three new electrical items each year on average
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Over the past year, EA figures suggest that only 14.5% of small electricals are recycled
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For every 7kg of small electricals bought last year – the average amount per person – only a fraction (1.3kg) was sent to be recycled.
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More than a third of people (35%) say they don’t know where to take electricals to be recycled
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Kettle and mobile phones top the list for goods that have been replaced in the past year
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Amazingly enough, some of us still have unused electricals from the 60s and 70s in our homes
(Source: Recycle Now)
Why bother recycling?
Over 75% of waste electrical goods end up in landfill sites, where the lead and other toxins they contain can cause soil and water contamination. This can have a very harmful effect on natural habitats, wildlife and also human health.
To reduce the amount of electrical items going to landfill, the government has introduced new regulations called the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations. The aim is to reduce the amount of electrical and electronic equipment being produced and to encourage everyone to reuse, recycle and recover it. It hopes to achieve this by making producers responsible for financing the collection, treatment, and recovery of waste electrical equipment, and by allowing consumers to return their waste equipment to distributors free of charge.
Many of the electrical items that we throw away can be repaired or recycled. Recycling items helps to save natural finite resources and cuts energy use, helping to combat climate change. It also reduces the environmental and health risks associated with sending waste electrical goods to landfill.
To minimise our impact on the environment, it is important that we are all aware of the consequences of our actions and how we can make a difference.
Follow the link below for advice on waste electronics:
See our useful links page for a list of companies that can recycle computer equipment.
