With International E-Waste Day, which promotes the reuse and recycling of electrical waste, on 14 October it’s a good time for us to look at the best ways of doing this in Surrey.
Before we get into it, we need to define what we mean by ‘electricals’ and to explain the difference between small and large ones.
Put simply, electrical items are anything that is powered by a battery, which can be removeable or in-built, i.e., charged by USB, or has a plug.
Small electricals are defined as being items that you can fit into a standard sized carrier bag. Typically, this would cover items such as kettles, irons, headphones, remote controls, shavers, mobile phones, handheld fans, table lamps, hairdryers, hair straighteners, device chargers, fairy lights, toasters, torches, electric toothbrushes and small kitchen appliances such as handheld blenders.
Anything that won’t fit into a standard sized carrier bag would be considered a large electrical and would typically be items like microwaves, desktop computers, hi-fi systems, televisions and home appliances such as fridges and freezers.
If you don’t think your electrical item can be repaired or reused…
Recycle your small electricals from home
If you live in Elmbridge, Guildford, Mole Valley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Tandridge, Waverley or Woking, you can put small electricals out for recycling.
If you live in Elmbridge, Guildford, Mole Valley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Tandridge or Woking, leave your electricals in a small, tied plastic bag next to your bins on collection day. Items must be contained within bags, which must be no larger than a standard sized supermarket carrier bag. Items in larger bags, such as bin bags, will not be collected.
If you live in Waverley, you will need to book a free collection from your home. To find out more information, visit Waverley Borough Council’s webpage on small electricals and textiles collection.
If you live in Epsom and Ewell or Reigate and Banstead as well as all other areas of Surrey, Anglo Doorstep Collections provides free collections of electricals, among many other types of waste.
You can also use the website Compare and Recycle to recycle your electricals from home.
Recycle your large electricals from home
Wherever you live in Surrey, you can book a bulky waste collection for large electricals. Some local charities and social enterprises may also collect your large electricals from home.
Recycle your electricals when you’re out and about
All community recycling centres accept small and large electrical items for recycling.
Some shops, such as supermarkets and electrical retailers, take electrical items back to be recycled.
If you think your electrical item can be repaired or reused
Take your electrical item to one of Surrey’s repair cafes
Surrey is home to 23 repair cafes, at which volunteers will repair almost any item that you bring, including electricals, for free or a donation.
Take your item to a repair shop in Surrey
Surrey also has many electrical repair businesses, which may be able to repair your electrical item for a fee.
Pass on your electrical item to be reused by someone else
All community recycling centres in Surrey accept working electrical items, which may be passed on for reuse, possibly at one of Surrey’s five Revive shops.
Sell your reusable electricals at one of Surrey’s car boot sales.
Go online to find one of the many online marketplaces through which you can sell working electrical items. Websites include Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Freecycle or Gumtree.
Many electrical retailers also take back working electrical items so check your nearest retailer to find out if they do.
To find your nearest community recycling centre, repair cafe, electrical repair business or electrical retailer that takes back electrical items, check out our zero-waste map.
Reducing electrical waste
It’s tempting but you don’t need to buy a new electrical item just because you can. If the item you have still works, keep it until it doesn’t. When buying a new item, you could buy a refurbished second-hand one or you could buy a brand that is high quality and repairable.
Batteries and vapes
Batteries should always be recycled separately from products, if they can be removed. For more information, read our article on how to dispose of household batteries in Surrey.
Vapes should always be recycled. Here’s how to do it:
- Wherever you live in Surrey, you can recycle your used vapes by sending them to the manufacturer or taking it to a vape shop or community recycling centre.
- If the device’s battery can be removed, do so and recycle it.
- If, once you’ve removed the battery, the device contains no electrical parts, put it in your rubbish bin.
- If you have removed the battery and the device contains electrical parts, and if you live in Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Surrey Heath or Woking, you can recycle the device using your small electricals collection service, however, if you live in Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne or Waverley, take the device to a community recycling centre.
- If you live in Tandridge, you can recycle your vapes using Tandridge District Council’s vape collection service.
- To find your nearest community recycling centre, visit our zero-waste map. And to find your nearest vape recycling point.