International
E-Waste Day – 14th October 2023
Our electricals contain valuable materials like gold, copper, lithium and more. Join millions of people recycling their electricals and help save precious resources from being lost
What is International E-Waste Day?
And why you should get involved in International E-Waste Day
Electricals are our fastest growing waste stream
In the UK and across the world we’re binning or hoarding millions of tonnes of unwanted electricals. It’s a waste of resources, bad economics and a growing problem for our environment.
More and more of us are recycling our old electricals
Last year millions more of us started recycling our old electricals. And that’s saving some of the planet’s most precious and finite resources from being lost forever. In fact 75% of materials in all electricals can be recycled and used again.
But some of us still don’t know what to do
So vast amounts of electricals are still being binned or left in drawers and cupboards (or garages) to gather dust. Which means a lot of precious materials are still going to waste.
The answer? If it has a plug, battery or cable you can recycle it
With more than 15,000 drop-off points around the UK on our Recycling Locator, you’re never far away from a donation or recycling point. Find your nearest one now.
Whether it’s disposable vapes or noise-cancelling headphones – inside all electrical devices are valuable, unseen materials that make them tick. Now eye-popping 3D scans by visual tech pioneers Lumafield reveal the treasure in our gadgets: copper, lithium, stainless steel, gold and more. By recycling anything with a plug, battery or cable we can recover these materials and turn them into new products – from bicycles to life-saving medical equipment.
International War Museums
Roberts
Travis Perkins
DHL
B&Q
BT/EE
December 19
Halfords
International Workplace Group
John Lewis Waitrose
International Institute for Environment and Development
Repair Cafe
Currys
IEMA
Spring
Unum
Loop Mobile
Restart Project
Truant
DID YOU KNOW?
What is International E-Waste Day? And other questions
What is International E-Waste Day?
International E-Waste Day*, 14 October 2023, is a reminder that e-waste is still the fastest growing waste stream in the world – and the UK. Whilst more and more of us are recycling, we need everyone to do it to save precious materials from being lost forever. This is a chance to get together and deal with those unwanted electricals we have lying around at home or in the workplace, and make sure they get recycled or go to a new home.
*IEWD was founded by the WEEE Forum, the international association representing producer responsibility organisations. The UK lead member is REPIC Ltd. IEWD is open to any one to participate.
What kind of electricals can I recycle?
Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be reused or recycled. Check out this page on what you can recycle.
What happens to my electricals after I put them in the recycling bin?
All electricals in a recycling bin will be taken to a recycling centre and sorted. Some might be refurbished and get a second life; others will be broken down into components and valuable raw materials to be used again. Metals and plastics recovered from old electricals can be made into a host of new products, from children’s playgrounds to life-saving medical equipment. Watch our video on How electricals are recycled.
How do I get involved in International E-Waste Day?
There are plenty of ways you can get involved in International E-Waste Day!
- At home: Find a bag or box to collect your old electricals ready for the recycling centre or for collection day. Then find your nearest drop-off point using our handy locator.
- In the classroom: Show your students how easy it is to reuse and recycle their old electricals. Make it really easy by setting up a pop-up collection point in school. Download your International E-Waste Day schools pack now.
- At work: Use our communications toolkits to spread the word amongst employees – and help them deliver on sustainable intentions by setting up temporary collections in your office. Ready-made assets, stats, and checklists all available to download.
- You can also get in touch with us at hello@materialfocus.org.uk for more information.
