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Why Recycling Matters

Background

The WEEE Directive aims to minimise the amount of WEEE householders throw out with their general rubbish. If you're not already recycling, find out more about how easy it is and how you can really make a difference. For those who already recycle, discover the positive effect your recycling efforts are making and find out what else you may be able to do. Not only can recycling help the environment, but we can all benefit from recycling things from around the house, at work and during our leisure time.

Recycling Conserves Resources

When we recycle, used materials are converted into new products, reducing the need to consume natural resources. If used materials are not recycled, new products are made by extracting fresh, raw material from the Earth, through mining and forestry. Recycling helps conserve important raw materials and protects natural habitats for the future.

Recycling saves energy

Using recycled materials in the manufacturing process uses considerably less energy than that required for producing new products from raw materials – even when comparing all associated costs including transport etc. Plus there are extra energy savings because more energy is required to extract, refine, transport and process raw materials ready for industry compared with providing industry-ready materials.

Recycling helps protect the environment

Recycling reduces the need for extracting (mining, quarrying and logging), refining and processing raw materials all of which create substantial air and water pollution. As recycling saves energy it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which helps to tackle climate change. Current UK recycling is estimated to save more than 18 million tonnes of C02 a year – the equivalent to taking 5 million cars off the road.

Recycling reduces landfill

When we recycle, recyclable materials are reprocessed into new products, and as a result the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites reduces. There are over 1,500 landfill sites in the UK, and in 2001, these sites produced a quarter of the UK's emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. By keeping WEEE separate from other waste it can be treated, the hazardous substances can be removed and a large amount of waste can be recycled rather than sent to landfill.

What is the impact of electrical and electronic waste?

We throw away a million tonnes of household electrical and electronic waste every year in the UK. At least as much comes from non-household sources such as offices, factories, schools and hospitals.

Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) plays an ever-increasing role in our daily lives.

Our kitchen appliances, mobile phones and computers offer us many benefits during their working lives but when this equipment is thrown away it affects the environment.

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the UK and the EU.

Some WEEE contains hazardous substances and parts such as mercury in some switches, lead in solder and cadmium in batteries. Recycling rates for most types of WEEE (other than large 'white goods' - like fridges and washing machines) are very low.

Recycling waste electronics – WEEE

Below are the four main categories of small electrical items that can be recycled. Look out for the pink symbols at your local recycling centre which show you what goes where. If you've got an item that's not listed below, ask these simple questions... V 1.0

  • Does it have a plug?
  • Does it use batteries?
  • Does it need charging?
  • Does it have the crossed-out wheelie bin logo on it?

If you can answer "YES" to any of the above, you can recycle it.

High-tech electronic devices

Phones, mobile phones, remote controls, chargers, radios, VCRs, digi-boxes, speakers, hi-fi units, electronic toys and more.

Personal care

Hairdryers, hair straighteners, electric toothbrushes, hair trimmers, shavers, hair curlers, facial saunas, power showers and more.

Small kitchen appliances

Kettles, toasters, irons, blenders, smoothie makers, sandwich toasters, coffee machines, food processors, bread makers, electric scales and more.

DIY and garden electricals

Drills, power tools, garden shears, strimmers, sanders, angle grinders, chainsaws, lawnmowers, garden sprinklers and more

Recycling facilities available

Householders are not banned from disposing of WEEE in their bin but the WEEE Regulations have created a network of collection points for WEEE. Householders should now find it easier to recycle their old equipment through a mixture of improved local authority civic amenity sites and new take-back facilities provided by retailers. These are operating now.

Householders can:

  • take old appliances to their local civic amenity site
  • arrange for their local authority to collect the equipment (some local authorities provide a free collection service and others charge)
  • arrange for an electrical retailer delivering new equipment to take away the old appliance
  • ask the retailer if they'll take products back

Note: householders are now covered by the duty of care and must ensure they only pass their waste to a registered waste carrier or other approved person.

If you are a private householder and are buying one of our unique energy saving products and wish to return EEE, then contact us for further instructions of our Distributor Take Back Scheme. This service is only available on a one-for-one, like for like basis to private householders only.

Join us to help protect the environment