Electrical waste recycling: Could your old devices do more?

Electrical waste recycling matter, learn how to reduce, reuse, recycle

Dylan Naylor

March 23, 2026

From phones, to fridges, vacuum cleaners, to games consoles, electronic equipment is now present in almost all aspects of our lives. And many of us are surrounded, not just by the devices we use daily, but also countless devices that are old, disused, or broken.

Did you know that Brits purchase 1.65 million tonnes of electrical items every year? This highlights just how important electrical waste recycling UK has become.

However, their prevalence is not often accompanied by an acknowledgment of the complexity and risks involved in their disposal. In this blog, we explore the challenges of electrical waste and what can be done to manage it more sustainably.

So what are the problems?

Firstly, the items are made with rare, valuable, and finite materials and throwing them away, without recycling these materials, creates a greater need for often dangerous and environmentally damaging resource extraction.

Secondly, when disposed of in household waste streams, electronic items and batteries can be very hazardous. They can cause fires when crushed and the toxic materials they contain can pose risks to wildlife and ecosystems when landfilled.

So what can be done?

Firstly, we can find new homes for items we just don’t want anymore. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to upgrade some tech, but why not try to sell, or donate items that are still in working order? Most charity shops will accept electrical items, and resale websites can allow us all to find a new home for our electrical, while making some extra cash at the same time. Recycle Now estimate that each UK household could make £770 by selling unused electrical items.

Repairing a coffee machine

Repair and extend product life

Another key solution can be the use of Repair Cafes. Repair Cafes are free community groups that work to repair a huge selection of everyday items. I recently became aware of a repair cafe just five minutes away from my house, and when my beloved coffee machine tragically petered out, I knew exactly what I needed to do.

With some careful rewiring by the brilliant volunteers, my coffee machine was given another life. Not only did I save money from buying another one, but the machine is saved from prematurely being discarded.

And the benefits extend far beyond saving money, with the Repair Cafe International network across Wales recently announcing that they have saved more than one million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.

Recycling electrical waste properly

When items really are beyond repair, specialist electrical reprocessors can recycle the items. On average, 75% of the materials in electricals can be recovered. Recycling points can be found within local authority recycling centres, and some businesses operate specific electrical take-back schemes.

Find your nearest electrical recycling point through recycle-more.

Policy and the future of e-waste

Worldwide, many policymakers are looking at legislative solutions to EEE waste. ‘Right to Repair’ regulations have been passed in the UK and EU, and Extended Producer Responsibility regulations for WEEE and Batteries could be on the way in the UK.

Looking ahead

As more and more aspects of our lives become electrified, and more and more organisations strive towards a circular economy, electrical waste recycling UK will be an ever more crucial issue to tackle.

It will become necessary for producers, consumers, and governments to develop more sustainable and circular ways of dealing with these products.

 

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