Delivering another good plug for electronic waste recycling

22 June 2015

For the second time since 2012, businesses, residents and organisations in the North East are being urged to recycle their broken electronics at a free two-day event in Aberdeen, which will be hosted once again by the University of Aberdeen, in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and European Recycling Platform (ERP).

A similar event, in June 2012, collected over 16 tonnes of electronic waste and the event organisers are hoping that even more e-waste will be collected for recycling this year. The free recycling event takes place from 7.30am to 5.30pm on Thursday 25th June, and from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm on Friday 26th June.

Electronic waste should be brought to the rear entrance of the University's MacRobert building, accessed from St Machar Drive, near the roundabout with King Street. All types of business and household electronic waste will be accepted, with no charge, and staff will be on hand to help with unloading.

The event is a partnership between the University, the two local authorities, and ERP as part of a drive to increase the amount of electronic waste that is recycled. In April 2015, the United Nations University released a report which revealed that the total amount of discarded equipment across the world reached 41.8 million tonnes in 2014. And, according to the report, the UK is the world's fifth largest producer of waste electronics.

All electrical waste collected will be recycled, including computers, monitors, printers, mobile phones, microwaves, dishwashers, fridges, ovens, battery operated toys, power tools, electric kettles, televisions, electric heaters, radios, and MP3 players. All electronics will be sorted and treated within the UK.

Christopher Osbeck, Transport and Waste Manager at the University of Aberdeen added: "The University is committed to environmental sustainability both through our teaching and research and through the day to day operation of the University and is pleased to be able to host a proactive recycling event which will help the local community. We hope people will take the opportunity to recycle their electronic waste and we'll be encouraging the whole University community to take part."

Councillor Jean Morrison MBE, Aberdeen City Council's Zero Waste Management Sub-Committee convener explained: "E-waste contains lots of highly valuable materials, such as metals and plastics, which have huge potential to be recycled and turned into new items, and which cause pollution if they end up in landfill. I'd encourage everyone to take this opportunity to have a clear out and recycle their unwanted items."

Ian Robertson, Head of Protective Services and Waste Management at Aberdeenshire Council added "This event adds to the opportunities for recycling of e-waste already offered at Aberdeenshire Council's Recycling Centres and we hope that this important event will highlight the need to recycle these items and lead to increased recycling rates across the area."

John Redmayne, ERP UK General Manager, said: "Plenty of people have broken equipment gathering dust, cluttering up their cupboards or lurking in a drawer. Well, now they can be free of it and benefit the environment at the same time. Bring anything with a battery or a plug on it and it will be recycled."