Solihull has unveiled its plans for a new, simple and easy-to-book kerbside collection service for recycling small electricals across the borough.
The project has launched with the hope that 216,000 residents in the local community will get behind Solihull’s drive to recycle their unused or broken small electricals. Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled and turned into new things, from children’s playgrounds to life-saving equipment. Locals will be able to book the collection service via the council's contact centre, by phone, or via the council website.
This is one of over 40 UK projects funded by Material Focus, the not for profit leading the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, who have provided £45,000 for the new service. Solihull Council will lead the way locally, joining other projects around the country in making it easier for 10 million UK residents to recycle their electricals. Solihull Council estimates that it will collect and recycle at least 7 tonnes of small electrical items through the collection service.
Residents will be made aware of how and where they can recycle their electricals through information on leaflets, lorry sides, banners in your local recycling centre and on eye-catching posters featuring HypnoCat. Keep an eye out for HypnoCat, the Recycle Your Electricals mesmerising pink, fluffy mascot, he is on a mission to hypnotise local residents into recycling their electricals. The council website and social media channels will also be promoting reuse and repair of items.
The aim of the nationwide Electricals Recycling Fund is to significantly reduce e-waste and its environmental impact by making it easier for consumers to recycle their electricals. The projects that have been funded by Material Focus include a variety of recycling methods, from kerbside collections to more drop-off points in schools, community centres, and bring banks. Overall there will be over 400 new collection points plus kerbside collections for 5.5 million UK residents.
Recycle Your Electricals research has shown that 80% of consumers believe recycling is a good thing, and many of us already recycle things like paper and plastic. Research has also shown that most of us have unwanted electricals we want to get rid of, even if it’s just a drawer of cables - millions of electrical items are hoarded in UK homes. And yet 39% of people bin electricals rather than recycle them say they think it’s simply too hard to recycle. The aim of these projects is to overcome these issues by making it easier to recycle electricals.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, Cllr Ken Hawkins, said: “This is a fantastic new initiative for Solihull which by recycling electricals will help save the planet’s valuable raw materials like gold, copper, aluminium and steel, and help us reach our net zero carbon targets.
“We’re always looking for ways to make doing the right thing easier for our residents and this really couldn’t be any easier. Residents can just book a collection for free online and then leave their small electricals bagged up and ready for collection.
“We’ll be reminding residents about the new service throughout the month with eye-catching posters and social media featuring HypnoCat - the Recycle Your Electricals mesmerising pink, fluffy mascot!”
"We are pleased to support Solihull’s kerbside collection of small electricals that addresses the pressing issue of e-waste,” said Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus.
"By investing in improved collection and drop-off services and exploring new recycling methods, we are taking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for 10 million more people to recycle their electricals."
To book a collection just visit www.solihull.gov.uk/small-items
To find out more about Material Focus visit https://www.materialfocus.org.uk/
To find more ways to support Solihull Council’s climate change and sustainability campaign visit the Your Future Solihull page https://www.solihull.gov.uk/your-future-solihull