Richmond residents take action to save electrical waste

In celebration of International E-Waste Day on 14 October, we urge residents to power up their small electrical recycling efforts.

We have made it easier than ever to recycle your unwanted small electrical items with the introduction of a convenient kerbside collection service and 20 new community recycling banks which launched in March this year. Over 17 tonnes of electrical waste has been diverted from being thrown away so far.

You can recycle anything with a plug, battery, or cable, including toasters, kettles, phones and hairdryers. You can do this either through the kerbside collection service or by dropping them off at one of the bright pink community banks located across the borough. The size limit for items that can be recycled is 21cm x 19cm - this is anything up to the size of a two-slice toaster.

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee said: “In Richmond upon Thames, we are taking proactive measures to address the problem of electrical waste. 

“By working with Material Focus to continue our kerbside recycling service and install new community banks, we aim to move closer to our goal of becoming a Net Zero Borough by 2043.

“I’d like to thank residents who have already made use our electrical recycling service as well as those that continue to donate, repair or exchange items that are in a good condition. To date we have managed to divert over 17 tonnes of electrical waste from being thrown away."

Our new electrical recycling provision is among the largest of over 40 UK projects funded by Material Focus, the not-for-profit organisation leading the national Recycle Your Electricals campaign.

Find a recycling point near you

You can find your nearest recycling point to recycle your electricals.

Recycle Week

This week, 14 to 20 October, is also Recycle Week and this year’s theme is ‘Rescue Me’. The theme is all about finding ways to re-use old items rather than throwing them away, to keep them in circulation for longer. 

Donate, sell, share and repair

See how you can donate, sell, share and repair items across the borough including repair cafes, Richmond Furniture Scheme and our local Library of Things.