Clear out the clutter, recycle the rest

Recycle small electrical items and declutter your home the easy way

What’s hiding in your “man drawer”?

In homes all around the world, there’s a place where “might be useful one day” items are stored.

Bits of string, old batteries, broken watches, spare cables and tools often end up tucked away, waiting to be rediscovered. This well-known spot, popularised by Michael McIntyre, is often referred to as the “man drawer”.

Reduce e-waste at home

According to Cello MRUK, Britons are hoarding nearly 80 million unused gadgets.

Many of these items could be recycled instead of sitting unused or ending up in landfill. Recycling small electricals helps reduce e-waste and prevents harmful substances from damaging the environment.

Junk Drawer

What can you recycle?

You might be surprised by how many items in your drawer can be recycled, including:

  • Old irons and toasters
  • Battery-powered watches
  • Hair straighteners
  • MP3 players
  • Spare electrical cables and chargers

These everyday items can be turned into new, useful materials when recycled properly.

Don’t forget batteries

Batteries are one of the most commonly overlooked items. Each year, around 600 million batteries are thrown away in the UK.

Laid end to end, they would stretch from the UK to Australia and back again.

Recycling batteries helps recover valuable materials and prevents potential environmental harm.

Take action today

This year, why not take a few minutes to clear out your drawer and recycle your unwanted electrical items?

You can:

  • Visit your local recycling point, use a recycling locator to find nearby facilities
  • Check what items can be recycled in your area

 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of recycle-more, Valpak Limited, or any other organisation.