Your guide to recycling old domestic appliances
Domestic appliances are part of our everyday lives, they grant us ease in daily activities such as cooking and cleaning that we would be lost without. So, what happens when our domestic appliances break down and we need to dispose of them?
The best option when your domestic appliance no longer holds value to you is to recycle. As a nation, we produce a lot of waste, with each person wasting an average of 25kg per year – so it's important for us to dispose of these items appropriately.
When electrical appliances are disposed of correctly, they can be recycled, and any harmful materials can be processed properly so they don’t pollute the environment.
What can be recycled, and how?
It’s a common misconception that electronics cannot be recycled, in fact, most of the electronic devices you have laying around in your home can be recycled, such as:
- Smart devices
- Computers
- Lighting
- White goods
-Batteries
-Entertainment, toys, and leisure equipment
- Personal grooming appliances
-Power tools, gardening, and DIY equipment
Now you know these electronic appliances can be recycled – how do you go about doing the ‘recycling’ part?
It’s much easier than you would imagine, companies such as AO and Currys offer services for a small fee, or you can find a recycling point for your specific electronic by using recycleyourelectricals.org.uk and make sure your appliance goes on to be disposed of in a sustainable way without spending a penny.
Sell or donate
But recycling doesn’t have to be so literal. If your electronics or appliance isn’t broken, you can always sell it or donate it to someone else who may need the very thing you’re trying to give away. Services such as Facebook Marketplace and gumtree are perfect places to head to if you’re looking to recycle by giving your appliance to someone else.
Repair
The average household appliance holds a lifespan of a decade - that's 10 years of family roasts in ovens, fresh dry clothes in tumble dryers, packed lunches in fridges, and clean plates in dishwashers. So, why is it that when faults occur with our appliances, only 2% of us choose to get them repaired?
If your appliance still works but has broken down, we urge you to get it fixed – not only will it reduce your carbon footprint but also a costly replacement bill, as the price of appliances has soared by 48% on average in the last year.
The ‘Right to Repair' legislation now requires appliance manufacturers to make spare parts available for up to 10 years. These new rules should bring an end to the frustration of having to throw away an item because a small part is no longer working and is no longer in stock. This means a repair will always be a viable option within your appliances’ lifespan! It’s time to utilize this right and repair instead of replacing or recycling an appliance that could be in working order.
Whether you’re looking to recycle your appliance due to a breakdown, home improvements, or because you simply do not use it, make sure you know the options available to you and how to recycle properly.
Check out more of our advice and articles at our Go Assist blog here.
