How to deal with your old electronic devices
Do you have a ‘just in case’ drawer? This drawer is home to pre-loved gadgets like mobile phones and laptops. Dealing with it saps energy and creates a tinge of guilt.
It’s not just the devices; it’s the tangled web of charger cables and headphone leads that add to the chaos. Thinking about my drawer brings to mind Don DeLillo’s words, “the sand-grain manyness of things.”
The wealth of old devices and cables are collectively known as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This waste is a growing problem in modern life. It’s estimated that an average household in the United Kingdom is holding on to about five unused electrical devices, likely stashed away in the ‘just in case’ drawer.
People in the UK generate a staggering 1.6 million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment each year. This is one of the fastest-growing sources of waste in the country. Instead of ruthlessly purging your drawer and contributing to the massive mountain of digital detritus at Kirkcaldy Recycling Centre, why not consider an alternative approach?
How we can help
Greener Kirkcaldy has hosted a drop-off point for The Edinburgh Remakery since 2018. Based in Leith, the Remakery specialises in repairing and refurbishing old technology. Their work extends the lifespan of electrical equipment and prevents unused devices from ending up in landfill.
In the last year, we’ve collected a whopping 173.7kg of electronic equipment for the Remakery. Your donations created a saving of 4.32 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) – more than a flight around the globe.
What can you bring to 8 East Fergus Place for reuse?
You can drop off a wide range of items to be sent to the Remakery. This includes:
- Laptops and Macbooks
- Tablets and iPads
- Smartphones
- DSLR cameras
- General cables
- Chargers
- Headphones
- Routers
- Smartwatches
- Peripherals – that’s things like keyboards, webcams and mice
What can’t we accept?
The Remakery cannot take general household electrical goods such as toasters, kettles, lamps and hair dryers. They are also unable to repurpose printers, desktop computers or other large items.
If you have any item not mentioned above, see if your local Recycling Centre accepts it.
Together, we can make a significant difference in reducing electronic waste and promoting a greener future.
Peter McCulloch, Administrator
Featured image shows a drawer full of electronics. Used under Creative Commons ©kalleboo.
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