Medway Council is celebrating the work of the local community who have been recycling small electricals at recycling bins in every local library and community hub since the launch of the project in November 2023.
The small electrical recycling bins in libraries have been hailed a success already with more than 6 tonnes of small electricals being collected so far. More than 11,000 items have been recycled, and 336 items have also been donated using the donate stickers at the recycling bins. Medway Council is urging those yet to recycle to do so, with a reminder of the items that can be recycled and how simple recycling small electricals can be.
Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled and turned into something new. Small electricals including toasters, kettles, sandwich makers, hairdryers or irons can be recycled at the small electrical recycling bins which are located at all 15 of Medway’s libraries and community hubs. Simply place your items in the bin ready for our team to collect. You can also donate any working items by using the donate stickers by the recycling bins – these items will be donated to Gillingham Street Angels.
This is one of more than 40 UK projects funded by Material Focus, the not for profit leading the Recycle Your Electricals campaign. Medway’s electrical recycling bins in libraries joins other projects around the country in making it easier for 10 million UK residents to recycle their electricals.
The aim of the nationwide Electricals Recycling Fund is to significantly reduce e-waste and its environmental impact by making it easier for consumers to recycle their electricals. The projects that have been funded by Material Focus include a variety of recycling methods, from kerbside collections to more drop-off points in schools, community centres, and bring banks. Overall, there will be more than 400 new collection points plus kerbside collections for 5.5 million UK residents.
Recycle Your Electricals research has shown that 80% of consumers believe recycling is a good thing, and many of us already recycle things like paper and plastic. Research has also shown that most of us have unwanted electricals we want to get rid of.
On average there are at least 30 electricals hidden away in drawers in UK homes, a total of 880 million items across the UK – with a simple repair many could be donated or sold to people who could put them to good use. And yet 39% of people bin electricals, rather than recycle or reuse them leading to over 100,000 tonnes of electricals thrown away every year.
The aim of these projects is to overcome these issues by making it easier to repair, donate or recycle electricals.
Adam Bryan, Medway Council’s Director of Place, said:
“It is great that these small electrical recycling bins at our fantastic libraries and community hubs have proven to be so popular. We want to make it simple for people to recycle or donate their electrical items, and this initiative has made it much easier for Medway’s residents. Make sure you bring your old small electricals with you the next time you pop down to one of our libraries or community hubs.”
Supportive local community
Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, said:
“From the start of Medway’s small electrical recycling project in libraries we’ve been delighted with how engaged and supportive the local community have been, but it is imperative we keep reminding those living locally of the pressing issue of e-waste.”
“Investment into the project from the Electrical Recycling Fund has been instrumental in improving collection and drop-off services and the delivery of new recycling methods, and these will continue to support the overall aim of a more sustainable future, as long as local residents continue to recycle.”
To find your nearest recycling point search recycle your electricals. Find out more about Medway’s libraries and community hubs.