Has your kettle run out of steam? Is your TV facing the final credits? Many of us are already recycling everyday items such as newspapers, cans and plastic bottles. But did you know that old and unused electrical items can be given a new lease of life? Broken electricals contain valuable materials such as silver that can be used again, saving precious resources and many unwanted electrical items could find a new home somewhere else.
Each of us accumulates three new electrical items each year on average, or 173 million nationally, but we find it harder to let them go as only one in five of our small electricals gets recycled.
This Recycle Week, running from 21st to 27th June, is focusing on small electrical items, that means anything with a battery or plug: from broken toasters and kettles gathering dust in the loft, to old mobile phones in drawers and disused power tools cluttering up the garage, all can be re-used or recycled. There will be events throughout the county giving Suffolk residents the opportunity to win eco kettles and iPod docks if they pledge to reuse and recycle their electricals.
Roy Barker, spokesperson for the Suffolk Waste Partnership, said: “Recycle Week is a great opportunity to remind us just how easy it is to recycle, reduce or reuse the waste we generate. This year, why not give your old electricals a new lease of life? Whether it's an old drill under the stairs or kids' toys in a cupboard, sometimes it's hard to part with things that seem too valuable to throw away. Visit www.suffolkrecycling.co.uk today to find out how to reuse and recycle your old electricals.”
Check for the crossed out wheelie bin symbol on electrical items – this means that you shouldn’t put them in your household bins – try to reuse them or dispose of them correctly at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre- look out for the new signage at the recycling sites- remember-Don’t bin it, bring It!
