The University’s Sustainable Consumption Institute has just launched a pilot initiative targeting electrical waste and we’d like people to get involved.

The launch of the initiative coincided with the first ever International E-waste Day on the 13 October 2018 aimed at promoting the correct disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment throughout the world.

Why it’s important to recycle e-WASTE …

• Electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the UK according to the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
• Every year the average household in the UK spends about £800 on new electrical and electronic goods (c. 1.4 M tons in total). A similar amount is thrown away.
• 40% of the above currently goes to landfill
• Britons have at least 1 Billion pounds worth of electrical and electronic equipment in their homes that are no longer used.

(Source: WRAP (WASTE & RESOURCES ACTION PLAN))

E-waste is basically anything with the WEEE symbol on it, but for this particular initiative, we’re focusing on smaller, household electrical goods that can fit into the bin’s opening. Items may include: broken electric toothbrushes, kitchen gadgets, audio visual equipment, frayed cables, and other personal equipment.

Staff and students who don’t have an e-waste collection service point already can take their domestic non data bearing items to the big grey bin located at the entrance to the Booth Street West Car Park behind the Bridgeford Street Building.

This collection is only aimed at non-University items. If you need to dispose of a University of Manchester owned computer, computer related equipment or phone you can arrange this with IT services.

Any items placed in this bin will be recycled responsibly in the UK, in compliance with the EU WEEE Directive which is aimed at reducing the amount of e-waste going to landfill or for incineration.

If you are one of the 67% of people in the UK that have e-waste items in your home and you want to recycle it responsibly, just pop it in the big grey bin by the Booth Street West car park behind the Bridgeford Street building.

More information on International E-Waste Day can be found at Weee Forum website.