How to repair or recycle electronic items
E-waste (or electronic waste) isn't talked about enough – did you know it's the fastest growing waste stream in the world?* Have you ever thought about what you should do with your electrical items when they're broken, no longer needed or you've just got a shiny new upgrade? Most of us have a habit of hoarding, we get it...you might need it one day!
And keeping tech out of landfill is really valuable for the materials it’s made from, the amount of resources it takes to produce and the value it could have to someone else. Thankfully, there are lots of fuss-free ways to recycle your 10-year-old laptop, rehome your old smartphone and fix your broken kettle.
Read on for some simple actions you can take to keep your electronics out of landfill...
*Carbon Action
1) Rehoming old tech
Did you know that for every smartphone in use in the UK, there are currently four lying unused? You may have one hiding in a drawer or box somewhere! You can gift an old phone to someone in need through campaigns such as Hubbub’s Community Calling, which helps those in digital isolation such as people facing homelessness, refugees, families fleeing domestic violence, adults with learning disabilities and more.
For household tech, the British Heart Foundation accepts donations of working electronics with plugs.
You might be able to sell working items to gadget shops for a bit of cash back, or give them away on local reuse networks like Freecycle, Freegle, Streetbank or Facebook Marketplace. Remember that for smart technology like phones, laptops and watches, it’s very important to clear your data off before passing it on!
2) Repair and care
Sometimes, there are simple fixes we can do ourselves, like repairing lost feet on laptops and fixing snapped headphones.
But for more complex issues we recommend taking your tech to an expert! Your local gadget shop or the provider of your tech may have a repair service. If you‘re ready to start learning about repair and want some know-how for repairing, here is a guide for beginners.
And be sure to check if you have a Repair Cafe or any Repair Parties near you - like the Boiler House’s repair cafe in Moss Side.
3) Recycle your tech
If your old household tech is looking worse for wear, it might be best broken down for recycling to reclaim the materials. So what can be recycled?
Save your household batteries, and find your nearest recycling point here. They can’t be collected in your kerbside recycling but contain heavy and valuable metals like lead and mercury which can be reused again and again. When batteries end up in landfill they go to waste, as well as leaking toxic chemicals that damage the environment.
For sorting other electronics, RecycleNow says the item can be recycled if it:
Has a plug
Has batteries
Needs charging
Has a waste icon with a wheelie bin crossed out
Don’t forget your wires and cables – these can contain copper, steel and aluminium.
Manchester City Council doesn’t accept small electrical items in kerbside recycling so the best option is to head to a household recycling centre. Libraries and larger supermarkets are other reliable options, which both usually accept smaller electrical items. Currys/PC world also offers a free recycling service for smaller electronics, whether you bought it in-store or not.
Double check if any small electricals are accepted by kerbside collection in your area by entering your postcode here.
You might even be able to make some money from any older smartphones, even if they no longer work. See how much your phone could be worth here.
