Batteries and electrical items

Waste electrical & electronics equipment (WEEE)

Anything that requires batteries or a plug to operate is classed as electrical or electronic.

Waste electrical & electronics equipment - WEEE symbolThe symbol used to represent waste electrical and electronic equipment is a crossed out wheeled bin with or without a single black line underneath the symbol. Items which have this symbol must be separated from general waste and made available for recycling or reuse.

Do not put WEEE items in your grey refuse or red recycling bin.

Advice for householders

Reduce

Do you need a new electrical/electronic product? If you do try to buy it with a long life span.

Reuse

Most electrical equipment can be reused or broken down into parts. Always try to repair items rather than throwing them away, others may find a use for the item when you no longer want it. You could give it away, sell it, or donate it to charity.

Recycle

When you buy a new electrical or electronic product, find out if the retailer will take back your old one. If they can, they will arrange for it to be recycled or safely disposed of.

Small electrical items can be taken to one of the eight recycle bring banks, or you can take small and large appliances to the Chalvey Household Waste Recycling Centre. If the appliance is too big for you to transport, you may be able to arrange for a bulky item collection.

Why recycle WEEE items?

If WEEE goods end up in landfill, lead and other toxins contained in them can cause soil and water pollution, which can have a harmful effect on our health and environment. The amount of electrical and electronic waste we throw away increases each year. This makes it the fastest growing waste stream in the world due to new technologies being developed, an affluent society and a throw away lifestyle.