When consumers upgrade their home appliances, they are always left with the same question: what to do with their old appliance.
Domestic & General may be able to help. It’s on a mission to make the world a better place, one repair at a time, as Will Ashton-Smith, Director of Sustainability at D&G, explains…
“We are one of the biggest appliance and electrical repair networks in the UK, so we know a lot about recycling appliances.
“The world generates over 40 million tonnes of electronic waste annually, with over 85 per cent of e-waste ending up in the landfill. By recycling or upselling old appliances, you can do your part in protecting the environment and reducing your e-waste.”
Mr Ashton-Smith has shared some tips and tricks to help consumers figure out what to do with their old electrical appliances…
Repair or replace?
The first thing you should consider is whether you even need to get rid of your appliance. If it hasn’t been working efficiently or you’re unsatisfied with its performance, buying a replacement might be leaping to extremes. You could try some maintenance first on your appliance, to see if it’s a simple fix. D&G has a useful repair or replace guide, delving into the sorts of issues that could be fixed with a repair and how long certain appliances are expected to last.
Donating working household appliances
If you’ve decided to get rid of an appliance that’s still in relatively good condition, you can donate through The Reuse Network, which supports charities across the UK to help them alleviate poverty, reduce waste, and tackle climate change through the repair, resale and reusing of donated household items. If this is the route you decide to go down, there are several options – you can either donate directly to a reuse centre or arrange for the appliance to be collected from your home.
Ask a retailer
If you would like to dispose of an appliance that you purchased from a major retailer, it is always worth finding out if they offer a disposal service. While there is usually a cost associated with this service, it can be an easy way to quickly arrange for the removal of an appliance (especially a large one) that might otherwise be tricky or inconvenient to shift.
And if you’re wondering what will happen to your electrical appliance next, retailers will usually recycle or re-use the parts so that they don’t go to waste.
Reselling an appliance
Another option for appliances that are in working condition is finding someone who will take it off your hands privately. It is an opportunity to make some money by listing your appliance on an online marketplace such as eBay, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace, to name a few.
However, it is worth bearing in mind that you will likely be responsible for having the appliance collected or arranging an exchange with the buyer.
Your local council
If you would rather take matters into your own hands and ‘do it yourself’ you can take your old appliance to a local recycling centre. This is ideal for smaller electrical appliances. Each local council provides recycling points and there can be specifications according to type of size of appliance, so you should always call or check their website before you go.
