Recycling old electricals and batteries
Old electrical equipment and batteries should not go in your general waste. That is what the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol on a product, battery or its packaging means. Sorted separately, they can be reused or recycled, and you play an important part in that. Chemical symbols under the bin mean: Hg = mercury, Cd = cadmium, Pb = lead.
Where to take them
We sell online and have no shop in the UK. Instead of taking old equipment back ourselves, we are a member of the Distributor Take-back Scheme, which funds recycling facilities run by local councils.
You can recycle old electricals free of charge at your local council's recycling centre. Find your nearest one at gov.uk/recycling-collections, recycle-more.co.uk or recycleyourelectricals.org.uk. The last site also shows where to recycle batteries, including at shops that sell them.
Before you recycle
Lithium batteries can cause a fire if they are damaged or short-circuited. Cover their terminals with tape, and take damaged, swollen or leaking lithium batteries to a recycling centre. Never put them in the post. Remove batteries from equipment where you can, and delete your personal data from the device.
Why it matters
Electrical equipment and batteries can contain hazardous substances that harm the environment and human health if they are not treated properly. Separate collection allows materials to be recovered. The best way to reduce waste is to use and repair your equipment for as long as possible.
