More than 1460 tonnes of unwanted electronic and electrical devices were recycled by Perth and Kinross residents last year.
In August alone some 3250 TVs and computer monitors and 450 fridges were deposited at the local authority’s eight recycling centres across the area.
That recycling contributes to the estimated one million tonnes of waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) discarded in the UK every year, including televisions, computers, fridges, kettles, toasters and lamps.
While it may sound like a lot of waste, around 90% of all the parts from these items can be converted into new products if they are correctly recycled.
To get a sense of the scale of WEEE recycling in Perth and Kinross, environment committee convener Alan Grant visited a processing venue in Perth run by Viridor. The majority of items there are broken down into their component parts and recycled, with any hazardous waste items removed.
In addition many large appliances like fridges, cookers and washing machines were directly reused last year without the need for reprocessing.
Electronic and electrical equipment also includes small items like calculators and battery-powered toys. These can contain components that should not be sent to landfill but they can easily be recycled through a network of recycling centres.
Viridor commercial manager Graeme Milne said, “The Scottish Government has rightly set ambitious targets for waste reduction, recycling and recovering value from what remains. The strategy is dependent both on ‘next generation’ green infrastructure like Viridor’s industry-leading facility at Perth and on the goodwill of individuals, families and communities to play their part.
“The good news is Perth and Kinross consumers are increasingly conscious both of what they buy and of recycling at the end of the product life cycle. Recycling electronic and electrical items has become a real Scottish success story and, with 90% of what we receive being recycled by our 75 staff, residents can continue to play their part in that move towards sustainability.”
Collection facilities for WEEE items at recycling centres are provided by the council in partnership with recycling solutions provider Valpak.
For more information about how to recycle waste electronic and electrical equipment or donate it for reuse, contact the customer service centre on 01738 476476 or visit www.pkc.gov.uk