Spring is here, and as many of us begin our annual decluttering rituals, it's also the perfect time to tackle those forgotten electricals hiding in drawers, cupboards, and garages.
Did you know the average UK home has at least 30 unused electricals?
Every forgotten cable, phone or other old electrical in your drawer contains precious materials that could be reused or recycled into anything from children’s playgrounds to lifesaving medical equipment.
Repairing, donating, selling and recycling are all great ways to give your old electricals a new lease of life, while freeing up space in your drawers or cupboards - a win for you, and for the planet!
When sorting through your old electricals, ask yourself:
- Could this be fixed?
- Could this be donated to someone in need?
- Could I sell this and make some extra money?
Recycle Your Electricals’ top decluttering tips
- Get organised: Before you gather up your old electricals, have three boxes, bags or designated ‘piles’ for selling, donating or recycling. Having designated spaces for each category makes decluttering your unwanted electricals a breeze!
- Small wins matter: Start small and complete one area at a time. And remember, you don’t have to tackle it all at once - even a few items from one drawer or shelf can give you a sense of achievement!
- Give old tech a second chance! Consider donating, instead of letting them gather dust. Read Recycle Your Electricals’ data deletion guide for step-by-step advice on how to destroy data from our smart devices: How do I delete my data? - Recycle Your Electricals
- Recycle, don't bin. Most items you clear out can be reused or recycled. Recycle Your Electricals’ Locator includes thousands of repair, donation and recycling drop-off points: Electrical recycling - Where to recycle & donate