Waste electrical and electronic equipment, or WEEE as it is also known, includes large and small household items such as white goods, televisions and battery-powered toys, essentially anything with a plug or a battery. Fluorescent tubes and low energy light bulbs are also classed as WEEE.

 

Electrical or electronic equipment cannot be sent to landfill but must be recycled through an approved and licensed treatment plant so that all the different materials can be extracted.

The following explains how you can recycle these items.

 

Our recycling centres offer recycling facilities for WEEE, with containers and storage areas clearly marked with bright pink signs. Depending on whether or not these items are in working order, they will either be reused, or sent for recycling.

 

If your items are too large for you to transport to a recycling centre, your local district or borough council will be able to arrange a collection. Please bear in mind there may be a charge for this service.

 

Many retailers will offer you the option to “trade in” goods when you are purchasing new products. These goods can often be collected from your home; however, you may be charged for this service.

 

Remember, someone else may be able to give a second life to the items you no longer want or need. The following are just some of the organisations who can help you to do this:

 

ECORRN, the Essex Community Reuse and Recycling Network, can help you to find organisations and charities who will take your unwanted WEEE.

 

Give or Take is a website which public and community groups in Essex can use to give away or receive items. You can advertise items, or place an ad for something you are looking for, all completely free of charge.

 

Freecycle is a non-profit community of people who give and receive unwanted items in their local area. You can join a local Freecycle group and apply for, or offer items for free by email.