UNWANTED electrical items can be recycled at Ebley Mill until Christmas.

Kettles, hairdryers, computer keyboards and toys can be dropped off in the temporary Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment container in the entrance at Stroud District Council’s HQ at Ebley Mill in Stroud until December 24.

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.

Chloe Turner, chair of SDC’s environment committee, emphasised the importance of considering other options before using the WEEE collection point saying: “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.”

Items can be dropped off during council opening hours - 8.45am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 4.30pm on Fridays

Items that can be placed in the WEEE container include:

  • Small household appliances such as, irons, toasters and hairdryers.
  • IT and telecommunications equipment such as laptops, mice, keyboards, printers, telephones and fax machines.
  • Consumer equipment like radios, DVD players, hi-fi 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.

SDC 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 recycleyourelectricals.org.uk

There is lots more information on how electricals are recycled and the benefits too.