Electrical and hazardous waste

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) taken to household waste recycling sites must be separated from other waste. This means that we can make sure that more items can be recycled or disposed of safely, instead of going to landfill.

This includes anything that is powered by electricity or batteries, from phones and hairdryers to fridges and washing machines, computers and televisions. Special containers are provided to make sure these items are collected separately.

Where can I recycle electrical waste?

Any electrical waste from home is accepted for recycling at our household waste recycling sites.

Some retailers take back old electrical goods in store for recycling, for example, when you purchase a new item from them. See Recycle Now – Retailer take back schemes.

Fluorescent tubes and energy saving bulbs

These contain small amounts of mercury, which is a hazardous waste and should not be placed in your dustbin .

• Your local household waste recycling site – all sites (except Uckfield Sunday mobile site) accept tubes and energy saving bulbs from home for recycling.
• If you break an energy saving bulb, open a window for 15 minutes, put the broken glass into a sealed plastic bag and take to your local household waste recycling site.
• More information about disposing of these bulbs can be found on the Recolight website.

Help for businesses

Contact the following companies about their recycling collection service:

• Mercury Recycling Ltd – Phone: 0161 877 0977
• Biffa Waste Services – Phone: 0800 601601

Fridges and freezers

By law all CFC gases used in refrigeration equipment has to be removed and destroyed before the main unit is recycled or disposed of. For more about these regulations see the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website.

• Household waste recycling sites – accept fridges and freezers from your own home for recycling free of charge.
• Your local borough or district council may collect and recycle bulky items from your home or business (there is a charge for this service).

Help for businesses

The following companies may also be able to provide a recycling service:

• MDJ Light Bros Ltd, Lewes – Phone: 01273 476862
• SITA, Eastbourne – Phone: 01323 763494

Computers

Some organisations accept working computers and monitors for refurbishment provided they meet certain standards:

• Computers for Charities, Hailsham
• Furniture Warehouse – West Kent YMCA
• Oxfam
• Computer-Aid
• Regional Electronics Initiative
• Tools for Schools
• Household waste recycling sites accept working or broken computers from your own home only for recycling.

Help for businesses

Try the organisations listed above. Alternatively, try your supplier as many provide a take-back service.

Mobile phones

• Household waste recycling sites
• Oxfam – Bring Bring scheme
• Scope – recycling
• Help the Aged – recycling
• British Red Cross – recycling
• Shops – many mobile phone outlets accept phones in-store or provide freepost envelopes. These include the network providers, Curry, Comet, Dixons, The Link, Argos and PC World.

Chemicals

Household chemicals, except mercury and petrol, can be taken in small quantities to your local household waste recycling site (except Uckfield mobile). Contact us for advice if you are unable to get to your local site or need to dispose of:

• large amounts of chemicals
• mercury
• petrol.

Contact us for more information

If you have any questions about waste recycling or disposal, please contact our Waste Management team.

The details given above in no way imply a recommendation or endorsement by the County Council.