Trade in
Many electrical retailers offer trade-in schemes, whereby you can get money off your next purchase or a gift card for the retailer.
Many electrical retailers offer trade-in schemes, including:
· Currys
· John Lewis
· Argos
Check the retailer’s current trade-in terms to see what items they accept and how much your electrical could be worth.
Sell
Why not make some extra cash from your unwanted electricals?
You can sell them on online marketplaces such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Vinted.
Be honest about the condition of your item when listing it. If it doesn’t work, make it clear that it is for spares or repairs only.
Before selling or passing on any device, make sure you remove your personal information and factory reset it.
Donate
If your electronics are in good working condition, you could donate them to a charity or organisation that accepts them.
There are many across the UK, but here are some that we have found:
· Get Well Gamers - UK charity that passes on games consoles and games to children’s hospitals.
· Hubbub Community Calling Campaign - a project delivered in partnership with Virgin Media/ O2. Donated smartphones are data-wiped, cleaned and given to people who need access to the internet.
· Aspire Community Enterprise – a Sheffield-based community enterprise specialising in computer and electronic refurbishing and recycling. They provide support to vulnerable and marginalised people within the community by providing stable jobs and a supported working environment.
· The Great British Tech appeal – project ran by Vodafone. They provide smartphones and tablets to people who need them the most. They accept donations by post and in-store. It's completely free – you don’t need to be a Vodafone customer to take part.
· Charity shops - your local charity shop may accept electrical donations too. Check first to see if they accept working electrical devices before you go. Use the Charity Retail Association tool to find charity shops near you.
· Screen Share – a charity which helps refugees gain access to digital devices to help them gain access to education, employment, and integrate into society. Tech can be donated by individuals and organisations.
Repair
Does your electrical item still have some life left in it? Repairing it can be better than replacing it.
You could:
· Have a go at repairing it yourself.
· Take it to a local repair café.
· Use a professional repair service.
· Contact the manufacturer if the item is still under warranty.
If you fancy trying a DIY repair, iFixit has free repair guides for a wide range of electricals and appliances. Only attempt a repair if it is safe to do so. Some electrical repairs should always be carried out by a qualified professional.
Recycle
If your electrical is broken beyond repair, recycle it rather than putting it in your bin at home.
Anything with a plug, battery, or cable can be recycled, and it's now easier than ever to recycle them!
Use the Recycle Your Electricals tool to find your nearest recycling point or take them to your local household waste recycling centre.
More from Waste Less South Yorkshire: