Buying new cooking equipment can an exciting endeavour for foodies and those that spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Unfortunately, getting rid of the old equipment to make way for the new can be notably less fun.
For those that own a small car, disposing of an old appliance can be a real pain in the boot. Meanwhile, if you have no personal transport at all, it can be nigh-on impossible without a helping hand and four helping wheels.
Luckily, as always, Cooker Spare Parts has you covered. If you have old kitchen equipment in need of shifting, save yourself a headache with this handy guide on how to dispose of appliances.
Recycling Old Appliances
The best way to dispose of any kitchen or household appliance is, of course, to recycle it.
This not only ensures you are safely disposing of the item in a responsible manner, preventing pollution, it also benefits the environment by enabling the materials to be reused.
To make this fact abundantly clear, the WEEE Directive was implemented in the UK in 2006 as a means of reducing waste products and cutting down on littering, fly-tipping and land-fill waste.
Focussing on waste electrical and electronic equipment (hence WEEE), this directive eventually became law in 2014 and allows for the safe disposal of most electrical items.
Despite this fact, government figures estimate that there are still around 2 million tonnes of WEEE items needlessly discarded in the UK every year.
What Appliances Can Be Recycled?
In a nutshell, you can recycle pretty much any electrical item that has a plug or requires batteries (within reason).
From fridges, washing machines and oven disposal to microwaves, toasters and iron clearance, you’d be surprised at just what you can recycle.
This even extends to a myriad of other electrical items, ranging from TVs and computers to games consoles and musical instruments.
If a product isn’t recyclable, it will usually be distinguishable by a small logo of a wheelie bin with an X through it. When in doubt, consult Prof. Google for further clarification.
How Do I Recycle Appliances?
To make things extra easy, there are actually a number of ways in which you can recycle your old electrical appliances.
We’ve listed the most common and popular methods of recycling appliances below for you – so there are no excuses for any of them ending up in your bin come collection day!
Collection on Delivery
If you have bought a new appliance from a high-street store or online supplier, you may be in luck right away. Many stores and suppliers offer to remove your existing piece of equipment on delivery of your new one.
This service is often offered in exchange for a small removal fee, typically starting at £15 for a large item. Meanwhile, some may even dispose of it free of charge if you bring it into the store.
However, it’s worth noting that this by no means a universal service, so be sure to check its availability beforehand.
Council Collection
If such a service isn’t on the table, an easy alternative is to simply put in a request to your local council.
Most councils operate a collection service of electrical items, including bulky items like ovens, fridges and washing machines (provided you let them know in advance).
This is also a great option if you are simply looking to get rid of an appliance that is faulty or beyond repair.
That being said, it’s worth noting that some councils will also charge a small fee for this service, so make sure you read the small print before you book.
Recycling Centres
If you’re mobile and would rather go down the independent route, there’s nothing stopping you from taking the proactive approach and disposing of it yourself.
Now, to be clear here, we’re in no way suggesting you load up your fridge in the back of a van a dump it in a shady layby. That, ladies and gentlemen, is fly-tipping and very much illegal.
We are, however, very much endorsing the use of local recycling centres. Simply take your item to your local recycling point and follow the instructions accordingly.
To locate your local recycling centre quickly and easily, follow the link and enter your address details to find a centre near you.
If you would like to know more about appliance disposal, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 02920 452 510 or click the button below to get in touch via email.
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