REPIC works closely with manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment to help them manage their responsibility for e-waste, batteries and packaging across the UK.
Meeting their e-waste, batteries and packaging obligations is our top priority, which we do by recycling and recovering valuable materials in the safest and most environmentally-friendly way possible.
Current legislation requires the UK to collect and treat 65% of the weight of all the electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in the past three years and 45% of the average annual amount of portable batteries placed on the market – that’s a lot! And we all have a role to play in doing the right thing to help meet these targets.
If you have old electrical and electronic items and/or batteries sitting in cupboards, drawers, your attic or your garage – don’t throw them in the bin!
Think about passing them on to family or friends, reselling them or giving them to a reuse organisation. If they can’t be reused or resold, taking them to a local recycling centre can help protect the environment and preserve our natural resources.
Find out how you can do your part and recycle WEEE, batteries and packaging responsibly.
What should I do with my waste electricals?
Every year, UK consumers and businesses buy about 1.6 million tonnes of new electrical and electronic equipment and just under 0.6 million tonnes waste electrical and electronic equipment (known as WEEE) is reported as recycled. WEEE is made from valuable materials which can be recycled and – in some cases – contains hazardous materials which need to be treated properly.
Just as we sort our plastic bottles and tins from paper and compostables, we need to separate our unwanted electrical and electronic items for responsible recycling and take them to a local recycling centre.
The best thing to do is to take any unwanted electrical and electronic items you have on your next trip to the recycling centre, perhaps when you take garden or other waste, rather than making a separate journey. It’s better for the environment and less hassle for you.
Some of the components used to make electrical and electronic items can be hazardous and harmful to the environment, while others can be recycled and reused. Some are even precious and contain gold, silver or palladium.
Your role is to do the right thing with your unwanted product. That means resell, reuse or recycle – but never waste.
Any unwanted items with this symbol on should be taken to a recycling centre near you:
Where can I recycle?
Use the links below to find your nearest recycling centre for WEEE and batteries:
Why should I recycle WEEE?
Electrical and electronic items contain a wide range of materials that can be recovered and recycled in the creation of new products. The more we recycle electronic devices, the less we have to rely on creating them from scratch – which not only depletes our natural resources but uses huge amounts of energy and produces greenhouse gases.
Once transported from your recycling centre, waste electricals are shredded at a reprocessing plant. The shredded pieces then pass through magnets, electronic currents and other sortation techniques to separate out the different materials.
The two key materials that come out of your old electronics are metals and plastics.
Metal is a valuable element of electronics and of special interest in the recycling process. It’s easily separated from other materials once shredded and can be recycled over and over again. Different metals have different properties, so can be used to make a huge range of items. If disposed of irresponsibly, plastics can have a catastrophic effect on the natural environment. Separating your old electricals helps to prevent plastic pollution and can give recovered materials a new lease of life.
Watch our video to see why it is important to recycle your old electricals
If your item is still in working order, donating it to a local charity for reuse can be preferable to taking it to a recycling centre. Working electrical items can be resold for extra funding by charities – so you can help support a good cause with your old products!
What WEEE can I recycle?
Almost every kind of electrical product can be recycled. As a rule of thumb, if your electrical item has any one or more of these four things, it is recyclable:
Examples of recyclable WEEE:
If you are unsure whether you can recycle an item or not, take it down to your local recycling centre where staff can advise you. Even if it turns out it isn’t WEEE, they will still take it and recycle or properly dispose of it.
Don’t forget you can recycle your batteries too!
Facts about recycling electricals
What should I do with used batteries?
Batteries are found in every room of the home, in television remote controls, kid’s toys, alarm clocks and even doorbells! Outside of the home, batteries are also found in cars and more industrial appliances.
All batteries can be recycled once they have run out of charge.
There are lots of places where you can take your used batteries for recycling to prevent them from ending up in residual waste where the materials they contain will not be recovered.
Most shops and supermarkets have a collection bin in-store for the used batteries generated from home use, such as button cell, AA, AAA and 9v batteries. These are quite often closely located to the battery sales point. Shops that sell more than 32kg of these types of battery a year (that’s around 345 four-packs of AA batteries) are required by law to provide battery collection points for consumers.
You can also recycle batteries, including those from cars and the larger more industrial batteries, at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. Use your postcode to find your nearest drop off point.
Visit https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/electrical-recycling-near-me/ to search for your nearest location.
Why should I recycle batteries?
Batteries often go hand in hand with electricals. And like electricals, these too can easily end up in landfills if the proper recycling channels are not used.
Batteries contain cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) along with copper, zinc, magnesium and potassium. When released into the environment and absorbed into our soil, ground water and air, these chemicals can have dangerous effects.
But there is an alternative.
Saving your used batteries and taking them to special battery bins at shops, schools and recycling centres will ensure your batteries are recycled responsibly.
Keep a look out for this symbol as a reminder to separate your waste electricals and their old batteries:
Which types of batteries can be recycled?
All types of batteries can be recycled.
Portable batteries – typically, these types of batteries include (but are not limited to) button cell, AA, AAA and 9v batteries, rechargeable batteries and batteries commonly used to power household devices. Retailers with collection bins will accept all portable battery types, provided they are not damaged. They can also be taken to your nearest battery recycling point at your local HWRC.
Larger and heavier batteries such as car batteries, specialist battery types and batteries from industrial equipment. These can be recycled by taking them to your nearest battery recycling point at your local HWRC.
Where can I recycle batteries?
In most cases, you will need to take your used batteries to a collection point in-store at a DIY centre, supermarket, or to your local HWRC.
Most retailers offer a free collection bin in-store for used batteries from the home, so when you pick up your reusable bags for your food shop, why not take your used batteries with you at the same time?
There’s also the option to take them with you on your next trip to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). Dedicated battery bins are available at most sites nationwide for you to recycle your used batteries.
Some local councils may collect used batteries separately as part of their household collection service but this service is not available in all areas so you should check your local council guidance on how to dispose of used batteries.
To find your local HWRC, enter your postcode in the Recycling Locator to search for your nearest drop off point.
Please do not throw used batteries away into wheelie bins or other bags or bins at home which you use for recycling or residual waste. Batteries contain substances that require special treatment and should be stored and collected separately.
How should I store used batteries?
Consider collecting used batteries in an old plastic tub and keep them in a dry place until the next time you take a trip to the shops or visit your local HWRC. You should prevent them from coming into contact with metal or water. Recycle regularly rather than allowing large accumulations of batteries. Regular recycling of batteries will ensure the materials contained inside each battery can be recycled and the batteries don’t get damaged.
What happens to my batteries once they’ve been collected?
Recycling is a great way to help protect the environment as it saves energy and lowers CO2 emissions from extracting raw materials.
Every battery placed in a recycling bin will be taken apart at a specialist treatment facility where the valuable materials will be recovered. Batteries contain plastics, metals, minerals and precious elements like gold, silver or palladium – all of which can be recycled and used back in manufacturing.
Why is battery recycling so important?
Batteries are found in hundreds of different electrical items in our homes, garden sheds and places of work. By recycling every used battery, you can help save energy and materials that can be used to make something new and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
58% of respondents in our 2019 consumer survey reported taking their batteries to either retailer drop off bins or their local HWRC. However, it is estimated that around half of all batteries sold in the UK are still not being recycled and are probably being put in residual waste bins. Batteries contain substances which require specialist treatment and can be harmful to the environment or cause fires when not treated in the correct way.
So next time you remove or replace a battery, put it in a dry, safe place and drop it off at a retailer collection point or your local HWRC on your next trip.
Every person in the UK uses around 10 batteries each year.
Around 38,000 tonnes of batteries are sold in the UK each year – that’s the equivalent weight of 362 Blue Whales.
The benefits of recycling batteries include:
- Reduces the need for virgin resources
- Reduces carbon dioxide emissions
- Recovered materials can be used in new materials and products
- Prevents valuable metals being dispersed in the waste which is sent for energy recovery or landfill
- Keep new unused batteries in their original packaging, don’t mix them with used batteries
Keep used batteries away from metal and water. This can cause battery to short and suddenly cause a fire or react with acid to create hazardous fumes. Use a clearly labelled plastic, glass or wood container and store it in a dry place.
Why should I recycle packaging?
We live in a world where most of us are making new purchases on a daily basis. Almost all of the goods we buy are supplied in some form of packaging. The packaging helps keep the goods in the condition that we would expect, provides vital information and helps differentiate one brand from others.
Packaging can come in many forms, sizes and is made from a variety of materials. The good news is that in most cases today, the majority of packaging is recyclable but it will need to be separated and sorted. In some cases, such as food packaging, this will need rinsing in used washing up water prior to being recycled.
Packaging is an unavoidable part of everyday life and the unfortunate truth is that packaging is often viewed as waste. Having contained products efficiently, it comes to the end of its useful life rather quickly.
Recycling unwanted packaging has many benefits.
Recycling helps to conserve resources, save energy, protect the environment and reduces the amount of rubbish we produce. When we recycle, used materials are converted into new products, reducing the need to consume more raw materials and reducing the need for further extraction (mining, quarrying and logging), all of which use massive amounts of energy and may cause local pollution. Using recycled materials uses less energy than that required for producing new products from raw materials.
Which types of packaging can be recycled?
Many different types of packaging can be recycled and recycling symbols and packaging labels on the side of our everyday items help to identify whether the packaging is likely to be collected for recycling or if you can take it to your local recycling centre.
We should look out for the on-pack recycling label or OPRL. These labels appear on all sorts of packaging from – plastic toiletries, bread bags, cans and milk bottles. These labels are based on what the majority collect and do not collect and are applied to packaging that is collected by 75% or more of local authorities across the country. Therefore, it’s important to remember not all packaging will have a recycled label but this doesn’t mean you can’t recycle it.
To help you understand all of the symbols you might see, here’s our guide below:
| Symbol | What does this mean? |
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This symbol is the recycle mark – this is a call for action. Please try and recycle whenever possible. |
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These are the new packaging symbols that appear on some packaging.
Widely recycled means – 65% of people have access to recycling facilities for these items
Check locally means – 15% – 65% of people have access to recycling facilities for these items
Not recycled means – less than 15% of people have access to recycling facilities for these items
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This symbol identifies the type of plastic used in the packaging. PET bottles are recycled by the majority of local authorities. |
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This symbol means that the product is made from steel. All local authorities collect steel cans for recycling. Other steel or metal items can be taken to your household recycling centre. |
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This symbol is the National Association of Paper Merchants mark. To be given this symbol, paper or board must be made from a minimum of 75% genuine waste paper and no part must contain mill produced waste fibre. |
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This symbol is the green dot. It does not necessarily mean that the packaging is recyclable, will be recycled or has been recycled. It is a symbol used on packaging in some European countries and signifies that the producer has made a financial contribution towards the recovery and recycling of packaging in Europe. |
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This symbol asks you to recycle your glass container. Using your glass household waste recycling collection or recycled in coloured specific bottle banks. |
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This is the mobius loop symbol. This indicates that an object is capable of being recycled, not that the object has been recycled or will be accepted in all recycling collection systems. |
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This is the mobius loop symbol with a percentage figure in the middle. This explains what percentage of the packaging contains recycled material. |
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This is the Forest Stewardship Council logo. This symbol helps to identify wood-based products from well managed forest independently certified in accordance with the rules of the FSC. |
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This symbol means that the product is made from recycled aluminium. This packaging should be recycled through your household waste recycling collection or in specific collection banks at your local recycling centre. |
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This is the Keep Britain Tidy symbol and asks you not to litter. It doesn’t relate to recycling but it’s important to remember to dispose of your packaging in the most appropriate manner. |
| Source Recycle Now | |
What should I do with used packaging materials?
Most packaging is recyclable but it will need to be separated and sorted.
In some cases, such as food packaging you will need to remove any food or drink residue by rinsing it in your used washing up water. Squash items to make more space in your recycling bin.
Many types of packaging are easy to recycle at home while others need to be taken to dedicated recycling points at your local recycling centre (HWRC). Some packaging items are not recyclable and should be put in the rubbish bin. See the guide on what types of packaging can be recycled.
Find out where and how to recycle, by entering your postcode into the Recycling Locator to find out what should I do with used packaging in your area. Not all local authorities collect the same materials. Please follow the advice of your local authority.
Where can I recycle packaging?
The majority of packaging materials can be recycled by the recycling bin collection service from your home. Please refer to your local authority recycling advice to place the correct materials in the relevant recycling bins.
Remembering to wash any food and drink items to remove residue by rinsing it in your used washing up water. Squash items to make more space in your bin.
In larger amounts or for bigger packaging items, take these to your local recycling centre. Dedicated packaging bins are available at most sites nationwide for you to recycle your packaging.
Find out where and how to recycle, by entering your postcode into the Recycling Locator to find out what should I do with used packaging in your area. Not all local authorities collect the same materials. Please follow the advice of your local authority.
Why is the recycling of packaging so important?
Recycling unwanted packaging has many benefits.
Recycling helps to conserve resources, save energy, protect the environment and reduces the amount of rubbish we produce.
Each country has outlined its strategy to set out how it plans to preserve material resources by minimising waste, promoting resource efficiency and moving towards a circular economy in their countries.
Specific Waste Strategies
Useful resources
Donate your old, working electricals for reuse
Did you know that your working, but unwanted electricals can help those in need? The Reuse Network supports more than 150 reuse charities in helping vulnerable people and reducing waste across the UK.
The charity donates refurbished essential items such as appliances, furniture and textiles via its nationwide network of reuse centres, ensuring that working items can be used to provide a better life for those living in poverty or isolation.
Find a reuse centre near you to donate working but unwanted electricals to a good cause. https://reuse-network.org.uk/donate-items/
Household e-waste collections
Some local authorities will collect small electricals along with your household recycling. Find out if your council is operating e-waste collections in your area with this handy postcode search from Recycle Your Electricals.org: https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/electrical-recycling-locator/
REPIC Consumer Community Campaigns
Supporting the communities in which we operate has always been a passion of REPIC’s and being able to work with local community groups to educate them on the benefits of recycling WEEE has been at the heart of many of the campaigns we’ve delivered over the years.
1) REPIC £10,000 Electrical Giveaway
Launched in 2014, our £10k competition was a massive success with over 400 entrants! To celebrate 10 years of successful Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment recycling, we gave away two prize pots of £10,000 worth of new electrical goods to schools, community groups or good causes, one across England and Wales and one in Scotland. Click on the link to take a look at some of our winners!
2) REPIC Schools Adventure
In 2016, the REPIC Schools Adventure Challenge was a simple educational and fun initiative for Year 3 and Year 4 classes. Working in partnership with 11 schools in various local authorities, each child in the class was asked to take one R3P1C soft toy (REPIC’s WEEE Robot mascot) home on a rota basis and complete a short story about an adventure he/she has been on with R3P1C. A camera was provided to capture photographs from the adventure. Each short story and photograph was then loaded on the Responsible Recycling website and can be viewed here. All participating schools were awarded cameras, WEEE educational packs and each child received their own R3P1C to keep at home.
3) REPIC’s Powering the Community Campaign
In 2017, REPIC awarded £500 worth of new electrical items to a number of diverse community groups across the UK as part of our Powering Communities campaign, which aimed to give back to local authorities, whilst promoting responsible recycling of old Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Click on the link to take a look at some of our winners!
4) REPIC’s Battery Recycling Animation
After discovering that almost half of the UK doesn’t recycle old batteries, we made it our mission to spread the word about battery recycling. Teaming up with our local school, Lowercroft Primary School in Bury, we ran a workshop session for the children to help us illustrate the recycling process and create the futuristics robot designs. Some of the children also visited the recording studio to narrate the animation. Check out the final battery recycling animations here.
5) REPIC’s Battery Poetry competition
To promote the benefits of recycling batteries, REPIC also ran a school battery poetry competition and was able to get local VIPs involved to record the winning entries. The final video can be viewed here
6) REPIC ‘Pass it On’ Recycling Storybook Campaign
In 2016, eight schools across the UK took it in turn to develop a chapter of the recycling story, each one completing their chapter being passing it on to the next school to continue the adventure. The book titled ‘A most unexpected day at the recycling plant’ was then illustrated and printed with copies being passed out to all the children involved in the campaign. The campaign video can be viewed here
7) Wastebuster ‘Recycle to Read’ Campaign
Take part in Recycle to Read to get books for your school
Recycle to Read is a new toy and tech recycling initiative launched by Wastebuster in association with EPPIC and Products of Change with the aim of providing a solution for recycling all plastic toys with ‘take back’ collections housed across retailers, schools and household recycling centres in the UK.
Recycle to Read is a ground-breaking new Pod campaign that rewards schools for collecting unwanted plastic toys and tech for recycling and reuse, in exchange for books. Check out the resources and more about the campaign here.
