Recycle your tech

A new scheme makes it easier for residents to recycle small electrical items and batteries at selected libraries around Bucks.

Recycle Your Electricals research has shown that 80% of consumers believe recycling is a good thing, and many of us already recycle things like paper and plastic. Research has also shown that most of us have unwanted electricals we want to get rid of. On average there are at least 30 electricals hidden away in drawers in UK homes, a total of 880 million items across the UK - with a simple repair many could be donated or sold to people who could put them to good use. And yet 39% of people bin electricals, rather than recycle or reuse them leading to over 100,000 tonnes of electricals thrown away every year. The aim of these pilots is to overcome these issues by making it easier to repair, donate or recycle electricals.

Alongside established recycling points (such as at all Household Recycling Centres and the ability to recycle small items and batteries via the kerbside collections) residents can now take small electrical items and batteries to drop off locations in selected Libraries.

In partnership with Recycle Your Electricals, the collection points will be well sign posted and in central location to make it simple for residents. The libraries taking part are:

  • Aylesbury
  • Buckingham
  • Wendover
  • Winslow

Examples of items residents can drop off at these new locations are:

  • Electrical toothbrushes
  • Cables
  • fairy lights
  • Personal grooming products
  • Personal tech (mobile phones, headphones, handheld fans)
  • Small household electricals
  • Batteries (please place in the separate bin)

The library drop off points will provide residents that don’t have access to kerbside collections with an opportunity to safely dispose of electrical items without having to visit their HRC.