Microwave recycling

Has it really made its last supper? Here’s how, why and where to recycle your old microwave oven.

Floating microwaves in a pink haze against a bright pink backdrop

Electrical recycling near me

Best ways to dispose of old microwaves

Give one of these great options a spin.

Light skinned man fixing a circuit board against a bright blue backdrop, he's wearing a magnifying visor and holding a soldering iron in one hand and the circuit board tilted in the other.

Repair

Many electrical and mechanical faults can be fixed for less than the cost of a new machine.

Shop front window of a red shop with a 'Charity Shop' sign.

Donate

Making a clean break with your old microwave? Charities, social enterprises and some councils will pass on products in good condition to families who need them.

Medium-dark skinned woman sitting on a sofa smiling at her smart phone and headphones which are both wrapped in £5, £10 and £20 notes.

Sell

Make a little cash towards your next purchase – try selling your microwave via online marketplaces such as eBay and Gumtree or local networks and noticeboards.

a road sign with the words

Recycle

Like anything with a plug, battery or cable, microwaves can be dismantled. The valuable materials they’re made of are separated and used again.

Where can you recycle microwaves?

Pick the option that suits you.

a road sign with the words

Your local recycling centre

All household waste and recycling centres have bins for electricals and batteries. Some also have an area for items that can be refurbished to be passed on.

White and plywood electrical drop off bin against a bright blue background, text on the bin reads: Recycle electricals responsibly and care for the environment.

In store

Thousands of shops across the UK will now take your old microwave for recycling if you’re buying a new one from them. Some take back all your old electricals for recycling even if you’re not buying something new. #zerowaste

Bright pink recycling bring bank against a pale blue backdrop. Text on bank 'Recycle your electricals'.

Recycling banks

Some supermarkets, car parks and designated roadside areas have electrical recycling bins. Check to see if your nearest can take microwaves.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ping pong

The first microwave oven was a beast. Made in 1947, it stood nearly 6 feet tall and weighed 340 kg.

A far cry from the domesticated variety pinging in almost every kitchen today.

various electrical repair hand tools laid out in a semi circle on a blue background

Best kept secret of the microwave? You can repair it.

A study of microwaves being discarded found that 

  • one in five microwaves were in perfect working order 
  • a high percentage had very minor defects 
  • most with minor faults could be refurbished for re-use 
  • the cost of parts for repairs was a fraction of the price of a new microwave.

Find repair shops by postcode using the Restart directory. Or see if there’s a Repair Cafe near you where you get help fixing your microwave yourself.

 

 

Retailers will take back your old electricals

Find your nearest recycling point

Put in your postcode to find recycling and reuse centres near you