Unwanted electrical items can be taken to Stroud District Council’s (SDC) HQ at Ebley Mill in Stroud during office hours* for recycling until 24th December.
Kettles, hairdryers, computer keyboards and toys can be accepted in the temporary Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) container, which is housed in the council’s entrance, until 24th December
Electrical waste is the fastest growing source of waste in the UK, with the average household containing around 30 unwanted electrical items. These items often contain precious metals such as gold, copper, steel, and aluminium, which could be recovered and reused if they were recycled.
The contents of SDC’s WEEE container will be broken down, shredded, and separated into individual materials in the UK for reprocessing into new products.
This container is part of the UK-wide campaign, Recycle Your Electricals, led by the not-for-profit organization Material Focus. The campaign aims to make it easier for everyone to reuse and recycle unwanted electricals.
Cllr Chloe Turner, chair of Stroud District Council’s Environment Committee, emphasized the importance of considering other options before using the WEEE collection point:
“If you have unwanted electrical items at home, please first consider whether you could sell them, donate them to charity, or repair them, perhaps at one of the growing numbers of repair cafes across the district.
"The WEEE collection point at Ebley Mill - alongside Pyke Quarry Household Recycling Centre and larger shops selling electrical items - can then be used as a last resort. Please remember to take out the batteries before recycling the item. There is lots more information on how electricals are recycled and the benefits at https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/"
Items that can be placed in the WEEE container include:
- Small household appliances such as, irons, toasters, and hairdryers
- IT & telecommunications equipment such as laptops, mice, keyboards, printers, telephones, and fax machines
- Consumer equipment like radios, DVD players, HiFi systems, and electronic musical instruments
- Electrical and electronic tools such as drills, sewing machines, and jigsaws
- Toys, leisure, and sporting equipment like video games and pedometers
- Display equipment such as FPD televisions and computer display equipment
Items that cannot be placed in the WEEE container include:
- Large household appliances such as washing machines, electric heating appliances, and cookers
- Cooling appliances like fridges, freezers, and air conditioning units
- Gas discharge lamps, fluorescent lighting, and LED lighting
- Loose batteries
- Vapes or electronic cigarettes
- Non-WEEE items such as packaging, furniture, and building waste
Batteries should be removed before depositing the items and vapes and electronic cigarettes cannot be deposited due to fire risks.
Stroud District Council does not presently collect waste electrical items as part of its household recycling service. However, some retailers will offer a `takeback’ scheme for some small electrical items in store or online. To find the nearest locations where you can donate, repair or recycle electrical item visit www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk
*Ebley Mill is open 8.45am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am-4.30pm on Fridays.
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