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UK households bin enough electric cables to reach the moon and back: How to recycle electronics

Alicia Hempsted
Written by  Alicia Hempsted
Kara Gammell
Reviewed by  Kara Gammell
5 min read
Updated: 29 Oct 2024

Many people don't recycle their electronics because they don't know how to recycle them. This has led to many UK households hoarding old electronics or just chucking them in the bin.

UK households threw away more than 125,000 tonnes of electricals and electronic equipment between April and June 2024 – the equivalent of approximately 283 fully loaded Boeing 747 aeroplanes.

Meanwhile, we’re facing a potential global copper shortage. This means we could soon be dealing with production and supply chain disruptions and increased costs in the electronics industry.

While there are so many different factors that have contributed to this crisis, one solution that we can act on right now is to recycle more of our electricals.

UK households have as many as 627million binned or unused cables – enough to go to the moon and back.

Many UK homes have at least one drawer full of cables, wires and electronic bits-and-bobs that we’re just holding onto for the sake of it. But recycling your electronics could help stave off the copper shortage, reduce electronic waste, and support our switch to electric energy.

Are you someone that holds onto old chargers or broken phones “just in case”? Well, now’s the time to kick the habit and chuck out those old gadgets.

What electronic items can be recycled?

Most electrical products and can be recycled or reused – anything with a plug, battery or cable. And it’s not just your devices you can recycle, accessories like charging cables, headphones, and batteries can be recycled too.

  • Electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops)

  • Appliances (microwaves, toasters, washing machines)

  • Accessories (headphones, speakers, chargers)

  • Other electronics (heated blankets, fans, hair dryers)

Material Focus, the independent not-for-profit behind the UK-wide 'Recycle Your Electricals' campaign, found that UK households have as many as 627million binned or unused cables –enough to go to the moon and back.

However, there are certain items that will need to be handled in a particular way as they may contain hazardous materials.

Group of people using electronics

How to recycle working electronics

If you have an electronic that’s still in working order that you no longer want or need, you can resell or donate them rather than throw them away. This can lengthen the lifespan of electronics, easing pressure on the demand for new gadgets, and give access to people who might not be able to afford these items at full price.

There's cash to be made in recycling, and old electronics can earn you more than you think. You can resell your electronics online through online marketplaces like eBay, Gumtree or FB Marketplace or even locally to high street shops like CeX. Just make sure you go to a reputable seller.

You can also donate your old electronics. There are many charitable organisations across the UK that accept donations of electronics, especially if you have old televisions, computers, or laptops to give away.

You can find a lost of charities and organisations to donate your old electronics on the Recycle Your Electricals website.

Old phones and gadgets

If you have an old mobile phone you no longer need, you can use MoneySuperMarket's mobile phone recycling service to sell your old phone. We’ll show you offers from dedicated phone recycling companies so you can find the best price for your old mobile, and all you have to do is send out your phone in the post.

You can even sell broken or damaged phones through these mobile recycling services as well as other devices such as tablets, laptops, and smart watches. So, consider comparing quotes before you put your old gadgets in the bin.

How to recycle broken electronics

Most electronics can be recycled by dropping them off at local recycling centres, although some local authorities will accept small electricals in their kerbside recycling schemes.

You can use the Recycle Your Electricals website to quickly find your nearest donation or recycling point for your electronics. You should also be able to find information about your local domestic recycling collection service and collection points on your local council’s website.

Hazardous items

Certain items that might contain hazardous materials like mercury, lead, or cadmium will need to be handled differently than other recyclables. This is because they can cause serious damage to others, the environment, and ecosystems if they aren’t properly disposed of.

It’s usually older electronics and appliances that contain these materials but it’s possible that even recently manufactured items have them.

Here are some examples of these kinds of items:

  • LCD televisions

  • LCD computer monitors

  • Televisions manufactured before 2000

  • CRT televisions

  • Old space heaters

  • Washing machines

  • Chest freezers

  • Irons

If you have any electronic items or appliances that might contain toxic materials, you should contact your local council for their guidelines on how to properly dispose of them.

In most cases, they will help you arrange collection of hazardous or bulky electronics so they can be safely disposed of or recycled, or they will direct you to a recycling centre that will accept them.

Large items, white goods, and appliances

Before throwing out white goods and appliances, it’s worth getting it checked over by a professional to make sure it can’t be repaired. Even if you are set on buying a replacement, certain large appliances can be donated to be reused as long as they are still in working order.

The British Heart Foundation accept donations of furniture and electrical items and, depending on your location, will even pick up these items for free. Some Red Cross charity shops will also accept white goods and large electronics. So, before you dump that old fridge or washing machine, consider whether you can donate it first.

On the other hand, if the item is well and truly broken, there are a number of ways you can dispose of it.

UK retailers offer pick up or drop off recycle schemes when you replace old items with new ones. However, there may be a small additional fee involved in some cases or you may be required to pay for installation of a new appliance to have your old one picked up.

Here are some UK retailers that offer recycle services:

The other option is to take your item to a recycling centre.

Some councils offer a pick-up service for large items, although they may charge a fee for this. You can apply for special collection of large waste items through your local council’s website.

If this service isn’t available, you may need to drop it off yourself or hire a waste carrier to handle it for you. Just make sure that you use a properly registered waste carrier who will dispose of or recycle your item legally and responsibly.

Batteries

Some local authorities will collect batteries with your kerbside recyclables, but there may be special instructions on how to leave them out.

Having loose batteries mixed in with your other recyclables or waste can be dangerous as they can spark fires if crushed and contain harmful chemicals. Your local council may require you to package them separately from the rest of your recyclables, so keep an eye out on your local council’s website for more information.

You should also keep an eye out for any local collection points as well. Many large supermarkets in the UK have collection points for batteries as well as other items like plastic and textiles, making it easy to drop off your recyclables when you pop in for your weekly food shop.