Anything with a plug, battery or charging cable may be electrical waste rather than ordinary rubbish. Reusing a working item is usually preferable; broken or unwanted equipment should go through retailer take-back, a council service or a designated recycling facility.
Quick answer: donate or sell working equipment, use retailer take-back when replacing an item, take electrical waste to a household recycling centre, or use a council collection where available.
Choose the best route
If an item is safe and still works, consider repair, donation, resale or a reputable reuse organisation. Never donate recalled, unsafe or damaged equipment.
When you buy a replacement electrical product, retailers must generally offer free like-for-like take-back, including for online purchases, although a charge may apply for collection transport. Large electrical retailers must also accept very small electrical items under the applicable rules.
Household recycling centres normally separate electrical and electronic equipment from other waste. Councils may additionally provide kerbside collections for small electricals or booked bulky-waste services for larger appliances.
Before handing an item over
Remove loose batteries where the manufacturer says this can be done safely and recycle them through the correct battery route. Leave built-in batteries in place if removal would require force or dismantling.
Erase personal data from phones, computers, tablets, smart devices and storage equipment. Sign out of accounts, remove SIM and memory cards, and follow the manufacturer’s reset instructions.
Keep fridges, freezers and other cooling equipment intact because they contain refrigerants that require specialist treatment. Do not break screens, lamps or equipment to make it fit into a container.
What not to do
Do not put electricals or batteries in an ordinary household recycling bin. Crushing and sorting machinery can damage batteries and start fires.
Avoid unlicensed collectors. If you pay someone to remove waste, check that the service is legitimate and obtain appropriate evidence of collection. Your council’s official page is the safest place to find local routes.
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Official sources
Sources checked: July 2026. Local services and national requirements can change.