E-waste recycling in the UK: the facts and where to take it

Electrical and electronic waste — e-waste — is anything with a plug, battery or cable that's reached the end of its life with you. It's a growing problem globally, and the UK has specific rules about how it should be handled. Here's a straightforward guide, with links to the official sources so you can check the details yourself.

The scale of the problem

The United Nations' Global E-waste Monitor 2024 reported that the world generated a record 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022, and that less than a quarter of it was documented as properly collected and recycled. The report is produced by UNITAR and the International Telecommunication Union, and is the most widely cited global study of e-waste.

What counts as e-waste?

Pretty much anything electrical: phones, laptops, toasters, kettles, hair dryers, power tools, toys with batteries, cables, chargers, light-up trainers, vapes, and large appliances like fridges and washing machines. If it has a plug or a battery — or shows the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol — it shouldn't go in your general rubbish.

UK rules: WEEE

In the UK, electrical waste is covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. Among other things, they require retailers that sell electrical equipment to offer customers a way to dispose of old items — either by taking back an old item when you buy a similar new one, or by being part of a scheme that funds local collection points. The government's guidance for businesses on electrical waste responsibilities explains how this works.

Where to take electricals in the UK

Household waste recycling centres (the tip). Almost all have electrical recycling. Check your council website for opening times and any booking requirements.
Retailer take-back. Many electrical retailers accept old items in store, sometimes with conditions. Ask before you go.
Kerbside collection. Some councils collect small electricals alongside regular recycling — check your council's website.
Recycle Your Electricals. The Recycle Your Electricals campaign, run by the not-for-profit Material Focus, has a postcode search to find your nearest drop-off point for small electricals.

Batteries and vapes

Batteries, especially lithium-ion ones, can cause fires in bin lorries and recycling plants if they're thrown away with household waste. Take them to a battery recycling point — many supermarkets and shops that sell batteries have one. Vapes contain lithium batteries too and should be recycled at a vape or electrical recycling point, never binned.

Reuse comes before recycling

Recycling recovers some materials, but keeping a working item in use for longer is better still. That's the logic of the waste hierarchy that UK waste policy is based on: reduce, reuse, then recycle.

That's why selling working items matters. When you sell a working phone, laptop or appliance, it gets used again rather than broken down for parts. With SendForCash, you get an instant cash offer for working items, a free postage label, and you're paid the same day we inspect. We check, clean and find each item a new owner.

Before you recycle anything

Wipe your data. Phones, laptops, tablets, smart speakers and cameras can all hold personal data. Reset them first. See what to do with old tech.
Remove batteries where you can easily do so, and recycle them separately.
Check whether it still works. If it does, consider selling or donating it instead.

FAQ

Can I put small electricals in my recycling bin?

Only if your council specifically collects them that way. Otherwise, take them to a recycling point.

Is it illegal to put electricals in the bin?

Households aren't generally fined for it, but it's strongly discouraged, and electricals shouldn't go in general waste. Retailers and businesses have legal duties under WEEE.

What happens to e-waste when it's recycled?

It's sorted and processed to recover materials such as metals and plastics, and to safely remove hazardous substances.

Do you buy broken electronics for recycling?

No. We only buy working items. Broken electricals should go to a recycling point.