Electronic and electrical equipment

Electronic and electrical equipment makes up a small but increasing amount of the rubbish we collect. Rapid technological changes mean that our electronic appliances - especially IT equipment - tend to go out of date more quickly. Getting the latest model may make an item that is still in working order redundant - but it can usually then be reused or recycled.

Find out more below about recycling and reuse, in particular for mobile phones, computers and 'white goods' such as fridges.

How to recycle electrical and electronic equipment

TVs, DVD players, hi-fis and computers tend to be made mostly of glass, plastic and metal, with small amounts of many other substances, some of which may be harmful to the environment. Reusing and recycling is the best way to reduce the environmental impact of these products. If your electrical item:

• Has a mains cable
• Has replaceable batteries
• Needs charging
• Has the crossed-out wheelie bin logo on it

you should be able to recycle it.

• Reuse: if the item is still in good working order, pass it on to someone else who could use it. Ask friends and family or check out websites like freecycle and gumtree.

• Refurbish and recycle: Contact your local furniture recycling project to see if they can collect your old dishwasher, washing machine or dryer and refurbish it. To find out where you can recycle or get items such as these repaired and refurbished visit the London Community Recycling Network.

• Recycle: many electrical goods can be recycled in some boroughs, from small items such as toasters and hairdryers to larger ones like fridges and washing machines. Take smaller items (including batteries) to your local Reuse and Recycling Centre where they can be added to other scrap for recycling. If you have bulky items to recycle contact your council to arrange collection. There may be a charge for this service.

Retailers and distributors who supply electrical and electronic equipment to householders must ensure that old electrical and electronic items can be returned on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis, free of charge, by offering a free in-store take back facility or by paying into a fund to provide alternative sites to accept waste electrical and electronic equipment. Information on stores offering take-back.

Computers

If still in good working order, old computers can benefit others. A number of organisations in London will take old computers and IT equipment, clean it, refurbish it and pass it on to charities or others who may not be able to afford a new computer. Some also use them to teach IT skills within different communities across London.

If your computer is no longer working or good enough for reuse and you are buying a new one make sure you ask your retailer if they have a take-back scheme. If not you can recycle it at your local reuse and recycling centre. Check out the following websites to find out how you can recycle your old computer:

• Computer Aid

• London Community Recycling Network - IT equipment

• Recycle-IT

Mobile phones

It is currently estimated that as many as 15 million old mobile phones lie redundant in UK businesses and homes. As they contain toxic components, including the LCD screen and rechargeable battery, it is important that they are reused or recycled or disposed of safely.

Many charities and supermarkets will accept mobile phones for recycling/reuse. If you have an unwanted mobile phone, find out if your favourite charity will take it to raise money for the charity, or check out the fonesforsafety® and Simply Drop schemes:

• fonesforsafety® takes donated mobile phones and delivers reconfigured 999-only mobile phone alarms to victims of domestic violence.

• Simply Drop: get cash or a donation to charity for your old mobile phone, MP3 player or digital camera.

• There are a host of commercial organisations who will recycle your phone and make a contribution to charity, such as Each One Counts - www.eachonecounts.co.uk - which also takes many different types of printer cartridge.

White goods

'White goods' is a term used to refer to fridges, freezers, cookers, washing machines and dishwashers (although nowadays they are not always white). In total they make up nearly half of all the electronic equipment we throw away, which can create problems for our environment, so they must be carefully disposed of.

Some fridges, particularly older models, contain substances called CFCs that deplete the ozone layer, so they must be removed safely. The responsibility for disposing of the harmful substances lies with your local borough, once you have arranged for the collection of the fridge or taken it to a Reuse and Recycling Centre.

If you are buying a new, up-to-date model your retailer may take back your old appliance. Shop around to find out who offers this service before you buy - it could save you money.

Did you know?

• An estimated 2 million TV sets are discarded each year

• About 1 million computers go into landfill sites each year

• Tighter regulations for disposing of electrical and electronic items came into force in July 2007 under the UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations, which aim to minimise the impact of electrical and electronic goods on the environment by increasing reuse and recycling, and reducing the amount going to landfill.