Small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

Why are you collecting small waste electrical appliances separately?

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the UK. By disposing of these items in the general waste stream strain is put on scarce landfill space.

Small electrical appliances are made up of materials which are in limited supply, such as metals and plastics, and so we should be reusing and recycling them wherever possible.

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How are you able to collect small electrical appliances separately?

The underside of the refuse collection vehicles have been fitted with a small compartment that can accommodate small electrical appliances up to (but no larger than) 35cm by 40cm. This means we can collect your small electrical appliances at the same time as your waste or recycling.

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How does the small WEEE collection service work?

You will have received a pink carrier bag to get you started. To take part please put your small electrical appliances in this bag, tie the top and place it next to your waste or recycling container by 6.30am on your collection day.

Once you have used your pink carrier bag you can use an ordinary carrier bag in the same way. We will not provide further carrier bags.

Please do not save up several items to present at one time. Try to present items as and when they are no longer needed.

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What can be recycled using this service?

Small waste electrical appliances no larger than 35cm by 40cm, including:

Kettles, toasters, irons and other small kitchen appliances	Power tools, smoke detectors and thermostats
Hairdryers, hair straighteners and hair clippers	Games consoles
Clocks, alarm clocks and watches	Household portable batteries e.g. AA, AAA, mobile phone and laptop batteries*
Radios, mini hi-fis, MP3 players and speakers	Video players, DVD players and remote controls
Small electronic toys e.g. remote control cars	Cameras and all types of chargers

*A separate collection of household batteries will no longer be provided. Simply place your batteries into a carrier bag along with your small electrical appliances - battery bags are no longer supplied by the Council.

Please leave any plugs or cables attached to your electrical items.

Please note: any electrical appliances which are presented for recycling and which cannot fit into the compartment on the refuse collection vehicle cannot be collected.

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What can't be recycled using this service?

Any item which is larger than 35cm by 40cm, including;

Light bulbs	Cookers, ovens or microwaves
Fluorescent tubes	Fridges or freezers
TVs and monitors (any size)	Washing machines and tumble dryers
Hoovers or vacuum cleaners	Large DVD players or music equipment

Please note: any electrical appliances presented for recycling which are on this list or which cannot fit into the compartment in the refuse collection vehicle cannot be collected.

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How else can I recycle other items of WEEE?

For larger electrical appliances, such as fridges, freezers or TVs, the Council offers a special bulky waste collection service. There is a charge for this service. To arrange a collection please call the Council on 01483 755855.

Alternatively, if your electrical appliances are of good quality they can be donated to Woking Community Furniture Project where they will be reused. For further information, or to arrange a donation please visit the Surrey Reuse Network website or call the Furniture Project directly on 01483 750005.

Your local Community Recycling Centre will also accept WEEE items for recycling.

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What happens to the items once they have been collected?

Once collected, your small electronic appliances are taken to a recycling site in Lewes, East Sussex where they are manually sorted to remove any batteries.

Items are then shredded to reduce volume and are mechanically separated into their component parts (plastics, ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals). The materials collected will then be used to produce a mixed grade plastic, which can be used to make street furniture. Any metals recovered are taken for reuse.

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If I put out items which cannot be accepted will they be collected?

Any electrical appliances which are presented for recycling which cannot be accepted or which cannot fit into the compartment in the refuse collection vehicle cannot be collected.

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Can I have another pink carrier bag?

The Council will not supply further pink carrier bags for this service. Please continue to present your small electronic appliances in a carrier bag.

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I live in a flat and share facilities with my neighbours; can I still recycle small electrical appliances?

Yes. Please place your items in a carrier bag and put with your waste and recycling containers the day before your collection.