ASK
Has your breadmaker really made its last loaf? If it’s faulty could you fix it at a repair shop? Maybe donate the appliance to a charity shop, or to someone who wants a secondhand breadmaker? Or could you sell your bread machine?
How to recycle a breadmaker
Has the love for your breadmaker gone stale? Time to pass it on or recycle it.
How to recycle a breadmaker
It’s as easy as ABC
BAG IT
If you do want to dispose of your breadmaker, find a bag or box to store it until you’re ready to go to the recycling centre – or until collection day if you have one.
CHECK
Find your nearest recycling point. Simply enter your postcode in our recycling locator. It’s that simple.
Where can you recycle breadmakers?
Pick from this growing list of options
In store
Thousands of shops across the UK will now recycle your old bread making machine when you buy a new one. Some retailers take back all old electrical goods for recycling or refurbishment even if you’re not buying anything. #zerowaste
Where to recycle your breadmaker
Easy! Find your nearest electrical recycling collection or drop-off point by simply entering your postcode in our handy locator.
With your recycling collection
Some local authorities collect kitchen gadgets and other electricals for recycling, either with your regular waste or by special arrangement. Contact your council: check their website to find out how. Or use our recycling locator.
Your local recycling centre
All household waste and recycling centres have drop-off points for unwanted electricals. Some have an area for items that can be refurbished to be passed on – maybe your not-fully-broken breadmaker could go to a new home.
Recycling banks
Some supermarkets, car parks and designated roadside areas have electrical recycling bins (or ‘bring banks’). If you have one near you be sure to check whether it takes larger appliances like domestic bread machines.
DID YOU KNOW?
Recycling a breadmaker – frequently asked questions
Can I put my old breadmaker in the bin?
What does the picture of a crossed-out bin on my breadmaker mean?
The crossed-out wheelie bin indicates hazardous waste. This means you mustn’t put your appliance in the rubbish bin. Dispose of electrical and electronic goods properly to avoid polluting the environment – and save valuable resources from being lost forever.
Is it OK to put my unwanted breadmaker out on the street for someone to pick up?
If you’ve booked an appliance to be picked up by your local council or collection service, then yes, that’s okay. But don’t just dump electricals on the pavement – it can lead to valuable and hazardous materials not being managed properly. Contact your local authority, local charities or social enterprises to see if they will collect. If you’re buying a new breadmaker, the retailer must take your old one back. Find your nearest drop-off or collection point for unwanted electricals by entering your postcode in our recycling locator.
What happens to an old bread machine if you recycle it?
When your breadmaker or any other electrical product reaches a recycling centre it is broken down and the materials it contains, such as metals and plastics, are sorted and cleaned. Then they go for further processing so that they can be used again in new products. Watch our video on How electricals are recycled.
Is it up to me to take my old breadmaker to the dump to be recycled?
Taking your unwanted bread machine to your nearest waste and recycling centre is a good option if you’re able to do it (check ahead for opening times and rules). But if it isn’t convenient, see Who will collect my unwanted breadmaker? – below.
Who will collect my unwanted breadmaker?
Your council, charities and reuse organisations might collect from your doorstep or a designated spot near your home. Some provide this service for free but others will charge. You could hire a licensed waste disposal firm to take unwanted appliances away, which might be an option if you’re having a clear-out. You could also sell your old breadmaker via peer-to-peer marketplaces such as eBay and Gumtree, or offer it free on Freecycle or Freegle, where you can ask the new owner to collect it.
Do charity shops take breadmakers?
Some charity shops welcome kitchen appliances and other electricals that are in good working order. See our page on donating electricals to charity shops.
Where can I recycle a breadmaker that I’m replacing?
Find your nearest reuse and recycling point using our recycling locator. Or, if you’re shopping, bear in mind that retailers now take back old electricals when you’re buying new – including kitchen appliances such as breadmaking machines. You have 28 days to hand yours over for disposal from the time you buy your new product. Some larger stores will recycle unwanted appliances even if you’re not buying from them.
How can I dispose of small appliances?
Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled at the end of its useful life. Find your nearest recycling point using our recycling locator. If your gadget uses batteries, please remove and recycle them separately to reduce the risk of starting accidental fires in the waste stream.
Find your nearest recycling point
Put in your postcode to find recycling and reuse centres near you
