More than 1,400 items were donated for refurbishment or recycling by environment-conscious residents through North Kesteven’s E-Waste Action Week. Through the initiative, donated items will be refurbished and distributed to good causes, both locally and more widely.
Provisional figures show 303 mobile phones, 82 laptops, 87 tablets and more than 900 cables were counted in, the cables alone weighing more than 115kg! All devices donated are securely data wiped by professionals, assuring safety for donors.
The final figures are likely to be higher, with many cables being handed in in bulk or at donation points, and not yet counted or weighed. As part of the event, nine community drop-off points were set up around the District, including parish council offices, churches and libraries. There were also donation events as part of two repair cafes - in Sleaford and Bracebridge Heath.
When asked to identify why they had chosen to drop items off for refurbishment or recycling, nearly 56% said it was to help the environment. Nearly a third felt more confident in dropping off their e-waste knowing that the data would be safely taken care of. 1 in 4 people suggested that they hadn’t previously known how to dispose of e-waste properly.
Electronic waste – e-waste - consists of all those electrical and electronic items we discard, including cables, which millions of us stash in drawers and cupboards. It’s estimated there are up to 880 million unwanted devices and cables in UK homes. These items are packed with useful materials that could be reused, lessening the environmental damage caused by mining raw materials.
The Action Week is a partnership between North Kesteven District Council and Sleaford Climate Action Network, (SleafordCAN), and builds on a successful first event last year which focused on the Sleaford area.
Council Leader Cllr Richard Wright said: “It’s fantastic to see that you can walk in to an event or drop-off point around North Kesteven, donate your e-waste, and have
such a big impact. Devices are getting back into use, both locally and around the world, or being recycled for the materials they hold.
“On top of the donated items, we’ve been sharing information and spreading the word about the hidden potential of e-waste, and the importance of proper recycling.