How To Recycle/Get Rid Of Old Electrical Appliances & Devices

It can sometimes be difficult to know how to properly dispose of the big appliances or electrical devices at your home as you know that your regular bins won’t do, so how do you get rid of them in a safe and environmentally friendly way? 

There are many ways that you can do this depending on what it is you are wanting to recycle or get rid of, some of these options are subject to you being able to drive or be able to get your appliance to a specific area for it to be recycled, so if this isn’t a possibility for you do not fret as there are countless other ways that you can still get rid of your appliances and devices properly. 

What Happens To Electricals Once They Have Been Recycled? 

Waste electrical products collected at recycling centres are taken to processing plants where they are shredded into smaller pieces and separated into ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, and plastics, according to RecycleNow, the government-funded national recycling campaign.

Any electrical item with a crossed-out wheelie bin symbol (shown below) is recyclable. When deciding what to do with your clutter, keep an eye out for this symbol. If you know your item can be recycled but it is still in working order, consider donating it instead.

Can I Donate Old Electrical Items/ Devices?

Absolutely. This is a great way to do your part and help charities as electrical items are harder to come by and people donate them much less often than clothes for example. Just make sure that you clear the electrical devices of any data that is stored on them and completely wipe them. With your appliances, make sure that you give them a proper clean before donating them so they are fresh for the next owners. 

Here’s how you can get rid of some of the most tricky electrical appliances and devices:

How Do I Recycle Or Donate My Old TV?

Trading in Your TV: 

There are many retailers that will allow their customers to trade in their TV and get cash or money off the cost of a new TV. This is a very cost-effective way of disposing of your TV if you are simultaneously buying a new one as it is a win-win   

Local Recycle Centres: 

Many local recycling centres have specific sections where you can dispose of your TVs safely and environmentally friendly. You can check the website of your local recycling centres to find out more information on how you do it. 

Council Collection:

You can contact your local council to collect many items such as your TVs. Councils are unable to go inside your property but they can collect items that are placed as close to your bin collection as possible. 

Donation: 

Many charities will definitely welcome donations like TVs as they are much more challenging to come by. 

How Do I Recycle Or Donate My Laptop?

Sell it: You can sell your old laptop on websites such as eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Include all necessary details, such as the computer's specifications and condition, and take clear photos.

Donate it: Many organisations, including schools, libraries, and charities, accept used laptops as donations. Some organisations refurbish the laptops and donate them to people in need, such as low-income families or students who cannot afford to purchase their own computers.

Recycle it: Many electronics stores offer free laptop recycling programmes. Check with your local recycling centre to see if laptops are accepted for recycling. Before recycling a hard drive, make sure to wipe it clean of any personal information.

Trade it in: Some retailers have trade-in programmes where you can trade in your old laptop for a discount on a new one. Apple, Best Buy, and Amazon, for example, all have electronic trade-in programmes.

Repurpose it: If your laptop is still functional but just out of date, you can repurpose it as a media centre, file server, or backup device. With the help of some software, you can also turn it into a home security camera.

How Do I Recycle Or Donate My Phone?

Sell it: You can sell your old phone on websites such as eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Include all necessary details, such as the phone's specifications and condition, and take clear photos.

Trade it in: Many mobile phone retailers, including Apple, Samsung, and Three, have trade-in programmes where you can exchange your old phone for a discount on a new one.

Donate it: Charities, schools, and nonprofit organisations, among others, accept old phones as donations. Some organisations refurbish phones and donate them to people in need, such as low-income families, the elderly, or victims of domestic violence.

Recycle it: Many electronics stores offer free recycling programs for old phones. Check with your local recycling centres to see if they accept phones for recycling. Make sure to wipe the phone off any personal information before recycling it.

Keep it as a backup: If your old phone is still functional, but you no longer use it as your primary device, you can keep it as a backup in case your new phone breaks or gets lost. You can also use it for other purposes, such as a music player, a GPS device, or a remote control.

How Do I Recycle Or Donate a Hoover?

Recycle it: Many local recycling centres will accept hoovers for recycling. Contact your local council to find out if they have a recycling program for household appliances. You may need to take the hoover to a designated recycling centre.

Contact the manufacturer: Many hoover manufacturers have recycling programs or will offer advice on how to dispose of their products. Contact the manufacturer of your hoover to see if they have any recycling or disposal options.

Donate it: If your hoover still works, you may be able to donate it to a local charity or community organisation, this could be a huge help to them as bigger appliances such as hoovers are harder to come by and rarely donated. 

Sell it for parts: If your hoover is no longer working, you may be able to sell it for parts. Online marketplaces such as eBay or Craigslist are good places to list your hoover for sale.

Take it to a waste disposal facility: If none of the above options is available, you can take your hoover to a waste disposal facility. Contact your local council to find out where your nearest facility is located. Some facilities may charge a fee for disposing of household appliances.

How Do I Recycle Or Donate a Fridge?

Contact your local council: Many local councils offer recycling programs for household appliances, including fridges. Contact your local council to find out if they have a recycling program and how to arrange for the collection of your old fridge.

Contact the retailer: Some retailers offer a recycling program for old fridges when you purchase a new one. Contact the retailer where you plan to buy a new fridge to see if they offer a recycling program and if they can collect your old fridge when delivering the new one.

Donate or sell: If your old fridge is still working, consider donating it to a local charity or selling it to someone who can use it on sites like Ebay or Facebook Marketplace. 

Arrange for a special collection: In some cases, you may need to arrange for a special collection for your old fridge, this can usually be done by contacting your local council. You would need to bring your fridge to the outside of your property for them to collect it. 

Recycle the parts: If none of the above options is available, you can recycle the parts of your old fridge. Many recycling centres will accept the metal, glass, and plastic parts of a fridge. Some local councils may offer a collection service for the fridge parts, or you can take them to a local recycling centre. Make sure to remove any hazardous materials, such as refrigerants or coolants, before recycling the fridge.

How Do I Recycle Or Donate a Washing Machine?

Contact your local council: Many local councils offer recycling programs for household appliances, including washing machines. Contact your local council to find out if they have a recycling program and how to arrange for the collection of your old washing machine.

Contact the retailer: Some retailers offer a recycling program for old washing machines when you purchase a new one. Contact the retailer where you plan to buy a new washing machine to see if they offer a recycling program and if they can collect your old washing machine when delivering the new one.

Donate or sell: If your old washing machine is still working, consider donating it to a local charity or selling it to someone who can use it. Check with your local charity shops or community centres to see if they accept old washing machines.

Arrange for a special collection: In some cases, you may need to arrange for a special collection for your old washing machine. Contact your local council or a waste disposal company to see if they offer this service.

Recycle the parts: If none of the above options is available, you can recycle the parts of your old washing machine. Many recycling centres will accept the metal, plastic, and electronic parts of a washing machine. Some local councils may offer a collection service for the washing machine parts, or you can take it to a local recycling centre. Make sure to remove any hazardous material.