Oxford,
12
February
2020
|
16:31
Europe/London

Oxfordshire offers new ways to repair and reuse small electrical items

Oxfordshire County Council is to launch a new trial service to residents with a way to ensure their unwanted small electrical items can be repaired and reused, reducing what the county would otherwise send to waste.

There are already many ways to recycle small electrical items that are beyond repair either at the kerbside or a recycling centre. Funded by Valpak, the council is trialling drop off points for unwanted small electrical items that are still in good condition at a number of participating Oxfordshire libraries.

The trial will run at Banbury, Bicester, Kidlington, Witney, Carterton, Oxfordshire County Library, Headington, Cowley, Littlemore & Blackbird Leys libraries.

Once goods have been dropped off, the items will be collected by Bicester Green or Orinoco – two local charities who help reuse and recycle waste – where they will be tested. Minor repairs will be made by volunteers and the items will then be sold on to benefit the charities.

The drop off point is for small electrical items only – toasters, kettles, radios etc – items you can easily carry. The libraries are not able to accept anything large or heavy – such as televisions, monitors, microwaves, white goods or fridges and freezers – or anything damaged and beyond repair.

Drop offs can only be made when the libraries are open – please check opening hours before visiting.

We are asking residents to ensure any disposable batteries – i.e. standard AA/AAA/9V batteries – are removed from donations of battery powered devices. These can be recycled at the kerbside. If the item has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery – like the ones in cordless power tools or mobile phones – please leave them in the device when donated.

The start of this new service on Saturday 15th February coincides with a national day of repair called The Big Fix. As well as the start of the trial drop off service, six repair cafes are taking place across the county. These are run by volunteer groups supported by Oxfordshire’s Community Action Group where residents can bring along old electrical goods and other items that need attention and have them repaired.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “This is a great example of council teams and community organisations working together to improve the services we offer and to help conserve valuable natural resources. We are trying to create a culture of repair and reuse in Oxfordshire.”

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services said: “We are delighted to be able offer residents a convenient way to donate electrical items through local libraries and to save them from becoming waste.”

To find details of all recycling services using a newly launched search tool visit the Waste Wizard – www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wastewizard

To find your nearest electrical repair event and for other tips on how to reduce your waste visit www.oxfordshirerecycles.org.uk.