International E-Waste Day was established by the WEEE Forum, an international organisation representing producer responsibility organisations globally. In the UK, REPIC is the lead member. We are working closely with the WEEE Forum and Recycle Your Electricals to make this year the best International E-Waste Day yet.
The main aim of International E-Waste Day is education to the public about recycling options, and this year we thought to use public areas such as Libraries.
What is WEEE?
WEEE is an acronym and stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and covers virtually everything with a plug or battery. WEEE is classed as either household (B2C) or non-household (B2B).
Examples are.
- Electrical leads to all electrical items
- Phone chargers and mobile phones
- Electric toothbrushes
- Kettles and coffee makers
- Food processers
- Toasters and sandwich makers
- Computer accessories like a mouse, controllers or even small consoles
- Small radios
No items larger than a toaster or kettle size or food processer.
Drop off points
Council Libraries has joined up with Repic to make it possible for residents to bring their small WEE household items to a selection of the local Libraries. So, you can bring your unwanted/broken items. We have some small boxes for you to drop your items in to recycle.
The reason we have small boxes is because we have limited room to collect the items but still wanted to make it possible to collect everyday items where possible.
Any larger items can be taken to our recycling and disposal centre [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/tip].
We have arranged for local Libraries to be drop off points and their destinations are below.
- Central Library, Smithford Way, Coventry CV1 1FY
- Foleshill Community Library, Broad Street, Foleshill, Coventry, CV6 5BG
- Tile Hill Community Library, Jardine Crescent, Coventry, CV4 9PL
- Bell Green Community Library and Learning Centre, 17-23 Riley Square, Bell Green, Coventry, CV2 1LS
- Stoke Community Library, Kingsway, Stoke, Coventry, CV2 4EA
Please recycle batteries, light bulbs and vapes separately, We will not be taking these items.
What happens to WEEE Waste
Our electrical and electronic waste often contains precious metals that can be recovered and then be reused in other items. In doing this we are saving precious natural resources and play a part in reducing the use of climate changing emissions.
All electrical waste contains chemicals that are harmful to the environment. When WEEE is simply dumped in landfills, over time the products decay and leak toxins into the earth and our water systems. This can lead to the toxins entering our food chain and ultimately, into us.
E-waste recycling provides proper handling and management of toxic chemical substances like mercury, lead and cadmium contained in the e-waste stream. E-waste recycling creates new jobs for professional recyclers and creates a second market for the recycled materials.
- correctly disposing of WEEE items reduces the burden on landfill, meaning fewer harmful chemicals are emitted into the atmosphere.
- using recycled rather than raw materials to make new products helps to lower levels of greenhouse gases being sent into the environment.
WEEE waste is then taken to a specialist reprocessing plant where your items are shredded into small pieces ready to be recycled.
How are electricals recycled?
What happens to your waste?
We take all your items to an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF) for disposal. This guarantees that any recycling and final disposal are done in accordance with WEEE Regulations, a process that usually takes 7-10 days for completion.
It's the law. In the UK, you could be prosecuted if you don't get your e-waste properly disposed of and fail to comply with WEEE regulations.