At present, most households in Somerset can recycle small electricals through their weekly kerbside recycling collection, but this is not an option for flats or other residences with communal collections.
For two months, the residents of St Anthelm Lodge in Wells will be able to dispose of small electrical items in a pink wheelie. The bin will be emptied fortnightly by Suez.
Residents can recycle any WEEE with a plug, battery or cable that can fit in the wheelie bin – for example, hairdryers, toasters, headphones and DVD players.
Somerset council says that WEEE that is too large for the bins should be taken to one of its recycling sites – there is a recycling locater function on the Recycle your Electricals website.
Councillor Dixie Darch, lead member for environment and climate change, said: “We’re pleased to support this project, it makes it easy for residents to recycle and helps them to do the right thing.
“Most people can recycle small electricals at the kerbside, and projects like this help to highlight the importance of recycling electricals.”
The trial is being funded by not-for-profit Material Focus which leads the ‘Recycle Your Electricals’ campaign.
According to its research, the UK discards 103,000 tonnes of electricals every year instead of reusing or recycling them.
Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, said: “We are pleased to support the Fixy Project that addresses the pressing issue of e-waste.
“By investing in improved collection and drop-off services and exploring new recycling methods, we are taking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for 10 million more people to recycle their electricals.”
The Fixy Project for WEEE
The Fixy Project was developed by Somerset council and Resource Futures. It aims to encourage residents to reuse and recycle electricals and smart technology.
During its launch, Fixy took donations of smart tech for reuse, including smart phones, tablets and laptops, through its ‘Tech Amnesty’ policy.
The tech will be passed onto DonateIT CIC for data-wiping, refurbishment and donation.
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