Environment & recycling

1Why electricals need recycling

Electrical and electronic equipment contains materials that can be recovered and used again, such as metals and plastics. It can also contain substances that are hazardous to health and the environment, such as lead, mercury, cadmium and some flame retardants. In landfill, or if items are broken up the wrong way, these can leak into soil and water. Batteries in the bin can also start fires in bin lorries and waste sites.

So electrical items must be collected separately from other waste. The crossed-out wheelie bin symbol on a product or its packaging means exactly that: do not put it in your household bin.

2What you can do

You play the most important part. Keep using items for as long as they work, pass on or sell working items you no longer need so they can be used again, and take items that no longer work to a recycling point, so their materials can be recovered.

3Recycle your old items free

You can take old electrical items to your local household waste recycling centre free of charge. To find your nearest one, search by postcode at Recycle Now.

Some councils also collect small electricals from the kerbside. Your council's website has the details.

4Our take-back scheme

We are a member of the Distributor Take-back Scheme. Instead of collecting old items ourselves, our membership helps fund the recycling centres where you can take your old electricals free of charge.

5Batteries

Remove batteries where you can and recycle them separately. Many shops and supermarkets that sell batteries have a collection point.

6Questions

If you need help recycling an item you bought from us, email us at customerservice@multibargain.com.