Anyone who receives a new set of hair straighteners, a new mp3 player or a new shaver as a Christmas present will now be able to easily recycle their old one thanks to a new set of recycling facilities.
Recycling bins for small electrical items such as food mixers, kettles and irons are being introduced by Gateshead Council to make it easier for people to recycle small household electrical goods. If they prove popular, further sites could be added later in the year.
The new bins form part of Gateshead Council’s commitment to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) which was introduced by the government in January 2007. The WEEE Directive aims to reduce the amount of electrical and electronic equipment being sent to landfill and to encourage everyone to reuse, recycle and recover it.
Six sites were specifically launched during the run-up to Christmas to cater for the many people who throw out old electrical goods after receiving new ones as Christmas presents.
Councillor Peter Mole, Cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, says: “Electrical goods can often contain all kinds of valuable metals, so it makes very good sense to recycle them.
“We have offered electrical recycling at our two Household Waste and Recycling Centres for some time, but we are now taking steps to move such facilities out into the community to make it even easier for people to recycle.”
The new electrical recycling banks are located at Ryton Rugby Club, Booth Street Car Park in Felling, Gateshead Civic Centre, Sainsbury’s at Team Valley Trading Estate, Ikea at Metro Park West, and at Asda at Old Fold.
Further information can be found on our website http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/recycling">www.gateshead.gov.uk/recycling|