Decluttering for a cause: My journey with e-waste and International E-Waste Day
Nina Parham
November 4, 2024
Every day marks a celebration of something - whether it's World Bee Day on 20 May, International Day of Yoga on 21 June, or even National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day on 4 August. Surprisingly, WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is no exception. The 14 October was International E-Waste Day, an initiative led by the WEEE Forum to raise awareness about the importance of responsibly managing e-waste. As a relative newcomer to this industry, I decided to dive in, learn more about e-waste, and see if I could do something positive - while maybe decluttering my home in the process!
What exactly is e-waste?
E-waste includes any item with a plug, cable, or battery—think old mobile phones, chargers, USB sticks, card readers, and game consoles. The most forgotten items, according to the WEEE Forum, are small electronics, often left tucked away in drawers. While they might seem insignificant, many of these items are made up of easily recoverable materials like iron, copper, and plastics. Some even contain hazardous materials that need to be disposed of safely to avoid environmental harm.
My mission: Declutter and recycle
With this new knowledge in hand, I decided to launch a full-scale hunt around my house. Like many homes, we had the inevitable "random drawer" overflowing with cables and miscellaneous gadgets we no longer used. Sorting through it, I found countless cables whose purpose was long forgotten - an easy win for the recycling pile.
But I wasn’t stopping there. I rallied my family and encouraged them to sort through their rooms. We uncovered old devices, a broken printer, and even a few outdated toys that hadn’t seen the light of day in years.
Extending the offer
Extending the offer
If my house was full of e-waste, I figured my friends and family’s homes must be, too. So, I sent out a quick text, explaining my mission and offering to collect any small electrical items they no longer needed. Within a few hours, I had more contributions than I expected.
Recycle, donate, and earn rewards
After sorting through everything, I separated items that still worked—those were set aside for donation to a local charity shop. In the process of researching where to dispose of the broken items, I learned that some high street retailers offer discounts for recycling old tech. For example, a well-known UK electronics retailer offers a voucher (at least £5 off a purchase over £25) when you recycle old items with them—worth remembering if you’re looking to replace something broken.
The rest of my e-waste pile was booked for recycling at my local Household Waste Recycling Centre, where I knew it would be disposed of responsibly.
A win-win solution
With my e-waste safely recycled, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Not only had I decluttered my home, but I had also contributed to reducing pollution and conserving resources. E-waste contains valuable materials that can be reused, and by ensuring proper disposal, we all play a part in protecting the environment.
How you can get involved
Although International E-Waste Day has passed this year, you should still take a moment to consider the electronics hiding in your home that you no longer use. By recycling or donating them, you can declutter your space while contributing to a healthier planet.
So why not join the movement? You might just find that clearing out those forgotten gadgets feels as good as making a positive environmental impact. Plus, you could even earn some rewards in the process!
What will you find in your cupboards?
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this blog represent those of the author, Nina Parham, and are not those of recycle-more, Valpak Limited or any other organisation.
