Householders and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the City and Shire, will be able to easily declutter their unwanted electricals via a new collection service to support Stella’s Voice, a local charity, and help save the environment. All working appliances will be tested and if in good condition, the aim is for at least 2,500 of these to then be re-sold at low-cost to local residents. The project will help to reduce electrical waste, boost the local economy by providing new jobs and volunteer opportunities, whilst saving over 14,000Kg of CO2.
Stella’s Voice collects from households across Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen and with the opening of a new shop in Fraserburgh, in addition to existing shops in Aberdeen and Peterhead, is increasingly well-placed to provide householders with a re-use service for unwanted electricals.
Recent research, by the not-for-profit Material Focus, has found that UK householders are hoarding 527 million small electrical items, an average of nearly 20 per household. And the problem is set to get worse as waste electricals are one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world and the UK. Instead, the majority of electricals can either be re-used or the materials contained in them recycled by being turned into anything from life-saving equipment to children’s playgrounds.
In a concerted effort to tackle this growing challenge, Material Focus have funded XS Resources Ltd CIC to set up the new collection scheme with Stella’s Voice, as part of the UK-wide Recycle Your Electricals Campaign. The scheme will collect functional small household appliances and computers - anything with a plug, battery, or cable can be re-used or recycled. The scheme has already been running with local partners in the Orkneys and, since August 2020, has resulted in the successful collection of nearly 2,900 items, with more than 900 of these re-used.
Brian Menzies, director of XS Resources commented “We were keen to get behind the Recycle Your Electricals campaign and make it easier for around 2,000 residents to de-clutter, whilst donating to their local charity and doing their bit to save the planet. By re-using electricals and the materials inside them, we can make a positive impact on the environment by avoiding the need to extract raw materials and make new products. Instead, existing products can be re-used, which helps create
a more local, circular economy, avoids greenhouse gas emissions, as well as providing more affordable electricals to householders that need these. We are delighted to be playing our part in making this happen.”
Mark Morgan, European director of Stella’s Voice added “This project has enabled us to expand our services to the community and create additional volunteering opportunities. We are now able to expand and provide a dedicated service for the collections of electricals which was not previously possible and really hope to see many of you donating valuable electricals for re-use in the community.”
Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus said: “This project is vital to ensuring that we make good use of our old electricals. Whether they are re-used or recycled - these items contain valuable materials that will otherwise be lost forever. Our research has shown that in the UK we are hoarding over 527 million small electrical items, an average of 20 per household, which is why we have launched our Recycle Your Electricals campaign. We are delighted to be working with XS Resources and Stella’s Voice, who are one of a number of new re-use projects that we are funding in the UK. So whether you are at home or work, please hunt out your old electricals and donate them to benefit your community.”
● Residents will be able to donate through a number of different means, including calling and emailing Stella’s Voice directly, or by dropping off equipment at the re-use shops in Peterhead, Aberdeen or Fraserburgh. Aberdeen residents can also drop off electricals at the Hazlehead household waste recycling centre (HWRC) run by Blythswood, who are collaborating with Stella’s Voice in the project. More details on all of these options are available at the website below: https://www.xsresources.org/
● The scheme will ensure that all items are safe, with Stella’s Voice securely collecting, cleaning and testing equipment before making it available in their shop for locals to purchase.
● The collection scheme is also open to other local organisations, with both householders and businesses provided with the peace of mind that all data bearing devices will be securely wiped by the project partner Re-Tek UK Ltd.
● Any electrical items that cannot be reused will be recycled so that the materials can be turned into new things.