Skip to main content

Whether it’s washing and recycling our food packaging or buying second hand clothes, we are all doing our bit to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle.

But what about our electrical devices and gadgets? When it comes to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), improper disposal can be really harmful, to the planet and to people. 

From cables to computers, gadgets that are thrown away alongside ‘normal’ rubbish, also called e-waste, contribute a whopping 2.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. 

In this article, we will outline the ways you can reduce WEEE by properly managing your electrical waste, through reusing, reducing and recycling your gadgets. 

Make recycling your last effort  

With new models constantly coming to market, you may find that you’re hoarding lots of gadgets that still work, or could be easily fixed. Finding ways to extend the life of your tech can prolong its need to be thrown away. 

Even if they’re considered to be a slightly older model, often operating systems and basic functions of tech will outlast the desire to ‘upgrade’, so there’s no need for perfectly working electronics to sit gathering dust. Passing on your no longer used tech, to family members or charities, will give them a new lease of life and avoid unnecessary e-waste. 

Similarly, rather than immediately replacing an item that breaks, look into fixing it first! Often, if only one part of a piece of technology is broken, it could be more cost effective to explore replacing that part, rather than getting a whole new item. 

Recycling old gadgets 

After some time, the life cycle of a product comes to an end, and it’s time to consider the best way to dispose of it. To do so with the least damage to the environment, WEEE recycling is important. By recycling old electricals, we could cut as much CO2 as taking 1.3 million cars off the road

Many retailers offer recycling services when replacing your home gadgets, like washing machines, fridges or laptops. While this may have a small fee attached, some companies even provide money towards the replacement item when you opt to recycle your old goods with them. This way you can trust that it is being recycled properly, as they will have strict regulations, plus it can help you to replace your items. Incentivised recycling services are a great way to go green, save the planet, and save some money in the meantime. 

If you’re not replacing your gadgets, and just need to recycle old items, mixed WEEE recycling will mean you can recycle a range of gadgets in one go. They’ll be properly managed, so parts that can be reused and materials that can be recycled into newer items will be, meaning e-waste is reduced.

At PriorityWEEE, we are leaders in IT recycling and e-waste management, so you can dispose of your old gadgets in a safe and sustainable way.

Contact Priority WEEE today to find out more about e-waste management.