Croydon beats national recycling target for electronics

8:40am Wednesday 27th August 2008

Comments (2)   Have your say »

More residents are recycling electronic goods in the borough, beating nationally imposed targets by nearly 20 per cent.

A year has passed and changes made to help residents have proved successful in bringing the amount of electrical and electronic waste collected in Croydon per head to 4.75 kg - the national target is 4kg per head of population.

The European Commission directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) came into effect in England on July 1 2007 with the aim of reducing the amount of waste generated from electrical and electronic equipment.

Containers at the council’s three reuse and recycling centres at Factory Lane, Fishers Farm and Purley Oaks have been increased to make it easier for residents to dispose of items ranging from televisions to electric toothbrushes.

All items are collected, dismantled and recycled where possible. PC monitors and televisions go to Light Brothers, which uses specialist staff and technology to depollute, demanufacture and process equipment.

Croydon Council cabinet member for the environment and highways, Councillor Phil Thomas, said: “These figures are very encouraging but we want residents to recycle even more.

Around 90 per cent of an electrical item can be recycled if processed efficiently so it makes sense to use one of our recycling centres where possible. Alternatively, for a small charge, the council can arrange to collect some items from residents’ homes so there really is no excuse not to recycle.”

Alternatively, the Appliance Reuse Centre will collect, refurbish and guarantee items for sale at its centre in Grafton Road. Residents can find good quality washing machines, cookers, fridges and freezers, TVs and computers at the centre which is open from 9am-4pm weekdays and until 7pm Thursdays.

The council charges £15 per visit to collect domestic white goods. Call 020 8726 6200 for more details.