New electrical waste collection service in Aberdeenshire aims to collect 10,000 unwanted electrical items by providing 2,500 refurbished electricals for residents.
From September to the end of November 2021, businesses in the City and Aberdeenshire are being asked if they can work with the North-east charity Stella’s Voice, to organise an Amnesty day or week for the donation of unwanted electricals via an amnesty event. Stella's Voice provides care, education, and jobs that are protecting the world's most vulnerable from human traffickers.
Interested businesses are being asked if they can arrange to have all small appliances and IT equipment that are no longer being used identified and made ready for a collection by Stella’s Voice. Staff could also be encouraged to bring in their own unwanted electricals for collection from the participating businesses on the same day or week. If you are interested in helping please call Stella’s Voice on 0300 303 2520 and ask for Shaunnie Richards.
Stella’s Voice will use any income generated by selling the donated electricals for a range of good causes e.g. supporting vulnerable children by providing them with a safe environment, giving them opportunities to complete their education and learn life skills. Non-reusable electricals will be recycled, so that the precious materials that are inside electricals can be turned into new products and reduce pressure on the world's natural resources. At the end of the Amnesty event Stella’s Voice will report on the total weight and number of items that were collected.
Recent research, by the not for profit Material Focus, has found that UK householders are hoarding 527m 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. The aim of the Amnesty event is to further increase re-use and recycling of unwanted electricals in the area.
Brian Menzies, director of XS Resources commented: “We were keen to get behind the Recycle Your Electricals campaign and make it easier for businesses 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 and look forward to northeast businesses getting involved in the amnesty events. These can really help to make a difference, environmentally, and by supporting vulnerable children.”
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 527m 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.”
- Businesses will be able to donate through a number of different means, including calling and emailing Stella’s Voice directly on 0300 303 2520.
- The scheme will ensure that all items are safe, with Stella’s Voice securely collecting, cleaning and testing equipment before making small domestic appliances available in their shop for locals to purchase.
- Businesses are 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.