ASK
Could your broken vacuum cleaner be fixed? Could you pass it on to someone you know? Donate it to a charity? Or could you sell your old vacuum, such as your Dyson, Henry or Shark?
Vacuum cleaners recycling
Looking to get rid of an old or broken hoover or vacuum cleaner? Read on to find out how and where to recycle your old Henry, Dyson, Shark or other vacuum cleaner.
How to recycle a vacuum cleaner or hoover
It’s as easy as ABC.
BAG IT
Put your vacuum cleaner alongside a box or bag that you can use to stash all your old electrical bits and pieces until you next visit 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. And off you go.
Recycling locatorGet a handle on what to do with your old vacuum cleaner when it bites the dust
Pick the option that suits you…
In store
Thousands of shops across the UK will now recycle your old dyson, Henry hoover or other vacuum cleaner for you when you buy a new one from them. Some retailers take back all old electricals for recycling or refurbishment, even if you’re not buying something new. #zerowaste
Your local recycling centre
All household waste and recycling centres have drop-off points for electricals and batteries. Some also have an area for items that can be refurbished to be passed on – someone may have a home for second-hand vacuum cleaners!
Recycling banks
Some supermarkets, car parks and designated roadside areas have electrical recycling drop-off points, or ‘bring banks’, which may be able to recycle your small handheld vacuum. Be sure to check our recycling locator to see if your nearest can take larger vacuum cleaners.
Where to recycle your vacuum cleaner
Easier still, find your nearest electrical recycling collection or drop-off point by simply entering your postcode in our handy locator.
DID YOU KNOW?
Millions of unused vacuum cleaners are collecting dust in UK households
And not in a functional way!
Think of all the precious materials that we could save if we recycled these unused or broken vacuum cleaners
Vacuum cleaner disposal – frequently asked questions
Can I put my old vacuum cleaner in the bin?
What does the crossed-out bin icon mean on my vacuum cleaner?
The crossed-out wheelie bin indicates that this is hazardous waste. This means you mustn’t put the product in the general rubbish bin. We need to dispose of electrical and electronic appliances properly to avoid polluting the environment and to save some of the planet’s most valuable resources from being lost forever.
Can I leave my vacuum cleaner out on the street for someone to pick up?
If you’ve arranged for it to be picked up by your local council or collection service to be disposed of properly, then that’s okay. But don’t just just leave electrical goods on the pavement – it creates an obstruction and can lead to valuable and hazardous materials not being managed properly.
Contact your council, charities or social enterprises in the area to see if they will collect. If you’re buying a new vacuum cleaner, the retailer must take your old one back.
Find your nearest drop-off or collection point for electricals by entering your postcode in our recycling locator.
What happens to my old broken vacuum cleaner if you recycle it?
When your vacuum cleaner – or any other electricals – reaches a recycling centre it is broken down mechanically and by hand. The fragments are sorted into the various materials such as metals and plastics, and are cleaned. Then they go for further processing so that they can be reused in new products or materials. Watch our video on How electricals are recycled.
How do I dispose of my dyson vacuum, shark vacuum, or other vacuum cleaner at the recycling centre?
If you have transport and can lift the appliance safely yourself, then taking your unwanted coffee maker to your nearest waste and recycling centre is an option (check ahead for opening times and rules.) But if this isn’t convenient, see “Who will collect my old vacuum cleaner?”, below.
Who will collect my vacuum cleaner?
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 your electrical appliances away; this might be an option if you’re having a clear-out. If it’s still working, you could also sell your old vacuum 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 themselves.
Do charity shops take vacuum cleaners?
Some charity shops welcome electricals such as household appliances that are in good working order. See our page on donating electricals to charity shops.
Where can I recycle a vacuum cleaner 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 old coffee makers. You have 28 days to hand your old one over for disposal from the time you buy your new product. Some larger stores will recycle your old appliance even if you’re not buying from them. It’s easier than ever to recycle vacuum cleaners – find out more on appliance recycling at retailers.
Find your nearest recycling point
Put in your postcode to find recycling and reuse centres near you
