Kingston Council has introduced 15 new drop-off points across the borough, making it easier for residents to recycle broken electrical items and donate unwanted working devices for reuse.

Electrical waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the UK. In Kingston, an estimated 570 tonnes of small electrical items are incorrectly disposed of in household rubbish bins each year.

Located in local libraries, leisure centres, and community hubs across the borough, the 15 new donation points provide residents with a convenient way to give unwanted technology a second life.

Residents can donate working mobile phones, laptops and other smart devices, which will be securely refurbished and reused. Seven of the locations also have dedicated recycling bins for small broken household electrical items, such as kettles and hairdryers.

All electrical items collected through the scheme will be managed by Relove Technology, a Kingston-based circular technology specialist.

Once collected, devices will be securely received and assessed by Relove's specialist team, go through a secure data-wiping process before being tested, inspected and graded to understand their condition and potential for a second life.

Wherever possible, the priority will be reuse rather than recycling. Devices that can be reused will be prepared for redistribution through local charities and voluntary organisations working to tackle digital exclusion across Kingston.

According to the council, this will help put technology back into the hands of residents who may otherwise struggle to access a suitable device, supporting greater access to education, employment, essential services and the digital world.

For devices that are not immediately suitable for reuse, Relove will assess whether they can be repaired or whether components can be recovered and used to extend the life of other technology.

Items that cannot be reused, repaired or have parts recovered will move into the recycling stream to recover valuable materials, ensuring that none of the material processed through the scheme is sent to landfill.

Kingston Council said: "The approach reflects our shared belief that reuse is the best form of recycling."

The project is brought together in a partnership with ReLove Technology and supported by £27,996.94 in pilot funding from Material Focus through its national Electricals Recycling Fund.

Councillor Nicola Nardelli, portfolio holder for sustainable transport, waste and recycling, said: "We are delighted to see the new small electrical drop-off points appearing across the borough. We are always looking for sustainable solutions to help tackle climate change and get us closer to our Net Zero target.

"The drop-off points will make it easier for residents to recycle small items locally without having to make a trip to the Villiers Road HRRC and supports our commitment to growing a circular economy.

Paul Crossman, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Relove Technology, added: "We are proud to partner with Kingston Council and Material Focus to make it easier for residents to give their unwanted electrical and electronic products a second life.

"Too many working or repairable products are still discarded, contributing to the growing e-waste problem, even though they retain significant environmental, social and financial value.

"As a local business, this scheme is particularly meaningful to us. By placing accessible donation points across the borough, we can keep more electrical and electronic products in use, recover valuable materials and redirect suitable technology to charities supporting people affected by digital exclusion.

"Our belief is simple: reuse is the best form of recycling. This initiative will help turn unwanted electrical and electronic products into new opportunities for people, communities and the planet."

Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, said: "We are pleased to support the partnership between Kingston Council and Material Focus that addresses the pressing issue of e-waste.

"By investing in improved collection and drop-off services and exploring new recycling methods, we are taking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for 10 million more people to recycle their electricals."

To raise awareness across local communities, the launch is backed by a major communications campaign featuring HypnoCat, the mesmerising pink mascot from the national Recycle Your Electricals initiative.

Eye-catching posters, banners, and digital displays will raise awareness of the new service and guide residents to their nearest drop-off point. You can find your nearest drop-off by visiting the Electrical Recycling website and typing in your postcode.

"This innovative approach builds directly upon the council's ongoing environmental initiatives and waste management transformation," the council said.

In autumn 2023, Kingston Council upgraded its entire waste collection fleet to 100 per cent electric vehicles, dramatically cutting the carbon footprint of street services while also helping to improve air quality.

Relove already has strong roots in the local community and has been working with the Royal Borough of Kingston and the Mayor's Office for a number of years through technology donation schemes such as The Big Tech Mop Up, designed to give unwanted devices a second life while raising funds for the Mayor's Charitable Trust.

Kingston Council added: "This latest initiative builds on that relationship, combining environmental responsibility with tangible social value for people across the borough, supporting the borough's objectives to be more sustainable."

We want to provide Kingston with more and more clickbait-free local news. To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following. Help us survive and sign up for our free weekly newsletter by clicking the link HERE.