Recycling electronics and appliances is the responsible way to keep our country clean and preserve the natural environment by reducing unnecessary waste.

Recycling electronics means that they can be correctly treated, so hazardous substances do not cause serious problems to the ground or water, while the materials can be recycled rather than sent to a landfill. Metals can be used for scrap metal, while the body and casing of appliances and electronics can be processed by removing any toxins and re-used.

It is not just larger appliances like washing machines, tumble dryers and ovens that can be recycled, but much smaller electronics and items such as DVD players, kettles, irons or laptops. Often these smaller items are forgotten about, as they are easier to just throw in the bin rather than recycle. But these smaller electronics and appliances are just as important to help reduce waste.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) which is now legislation and covers the whole of the European Union made producers and importers of electronic goods responsible for recycling their products from 1st of July 2007. Retailers must either offer a free in-store ‘take-back’ service on a like-for-like basis; for example, take a customer’s old television when they buy a new one, or help fund improvements to local councils’ recycling facilities.

Households are not under the same obligations though and this is why this guide aims to provide helpful advice on ways to dispose of electronics and appliances efficiently and safely, reducing waste and helping to keep our planet earth free from harmful toxins.

Before Recycling

First of all, is the electronic item or appliance in good working order?

If it is actually still in good working order, then consider asking family, friends or neighbours if they have a use for it. Electronics that are still working can make excellent donation opportunities for local schools and churches. Then there are plenty of fantastic charities who might be interested in your unwanted appliance. Some of these include -

• Oxfam
• Cancer Research UK
• British Heart Foundation
• British Red Cross
• Help The Aged
• Computer Aid International
• Shelter

You can also consider using specialist organisations where you can donate your item, such as -

• Donate A PC
• Create
• The Furniture Re-Use Network

Donating to organisations helps those less fortunate and is environmentally friendly, but do remember to call ahead before dropping off any items to charity shops to ensure they are accepted and there is room.

Another option is to use a service such as Freecycle, Freegle or Don’t Dump That which allows you to give away unwanted items for free to your local community. These services are entirely free and you can quickly and easily post your unwanted appliances or electronics to find them a new home.

If the item in question is no longer in working order, it can also be worth posting to one of the free services above and offering the item for spare parts. Another option to consider is repairing, rather than replacing. While the prices for a new appliance might be similar to repairing your old one, repairing your appliance or electronics is certainly more environmentally friendly.

How To Recycle Appliances & Electronics

Large kitchen appliances like refrigerators, freezers, cookers/ovens, dryers, washing machines and dishwashers can all be easily recycled. Smaller items are often overlooked due to their ease of being disposed in the bin alongside the usual household waste, however small kitchen or home appliances such as microwaves, toasters, blenders, hairdryers, irons and kettles can all be easily recycled as well.

Remember, retailers under the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (Weee) have to help customers recycle a wide range of electrical and white goods either by paying towards white goods recycling facilities at a council site or by offering a free in store take back service. Most opt for the first option, but do check with your store if you are buying a new item.

Retailer Collection

One of the easiest ways to recycle your old larger appliances when purchasing a new one is to ask the retailer if they offer a collection and recycling service upon delivery of your new appliance. Remember that this may incur a small additional charge as they do not have to offer this for free and you will be required to disconnect your appliance.

Retailer Take-Back Scheme

Some retailers also allow you to drop off your old electronics or appliances for recycling when you purchase a like for like product. Ask your retailer if they take part in the scheme as this is a great way to recycle your TV, toaster or microwave.

Local Recycling Centre

When not buying a new item, then check with your local recycling centre to find out what types of appliances and electrical equipment they accept by using the Recycle Now website. Simply dropping off your unwanted items is often the quickest and easiest method for recycling smaller electronics and appliances.

Council Collection

Alternatively, if the item(s) cannot be dropped off at the local recycling centre it is possible to ask your local council to pick-up unwanted electrical products and appliances. The only requirement is that you disconnect your appliance and leave it outside your property on that arranged date of pick-up. Remember again, this will incur a fee from your council.

Specialist Recycling Services

Of course you can consider selling unwanted electronics or appliances through sites like Ebay. Other electronic items can be sold through specialist recycling services as well. Some of these include -

CDs, DVDs, Games & Tech – You can sell your items though a service such as Music Magpie.
 
Mobile Phones – You sell your old mobile through companies such as Mazuma Mobile, Envirofone, Fonebank, 02 Recycle or more.
 
Printers, fax machines, ink cartridges – Companies like Canon, Epson, Apple, Nokia, Lexmark, and Sony, all have corporate electronic recycling programs when you make a purchase.

On A Final Note

We have the means to be responsible and recycle now, so please take this opportunity with both hands and do your bit to help reduce waste and preserve our environment.

It’s up to each and every one of us to contribute and protect the planet. It’s so simple to do that everyone should be able to play their part.

Glotech customers have had limited exposure to this as our buying group Euronics started stocking Beko Fridge Freezers in large number from Summer 2006. Also, many of the products concerned were exclusive and were produced for the national sheds.

The defect lies with a faulty defrost timer and in a limited number of incidents, condensation can gather around the defrost timer area, a component located at the rear of the appliance. This may allow water to seep into the timer, which can occasionally cause the component to fail and overheat.

How to check if your Beko is affected:

Affected model numbers:

CA 5411 FFS/FFW/FFX, CA 7014 FFX, CA 7015 FFW/FFS/FFX

CDA 539 FS/FW/FX, CDA 543 FS/FW/FX, CDA 645 FW, CDA 647 FS/FW, CDA 648 FS/FW, CDA 653 FS/FW/FX, CDA 659 FS, CDA 751 FS/FX, CDA 752 FS/FW/FX

CS 460 FF/FFS/FFW/FFSD, CS 461 FFW/FFS, CSA 4706 FFX, CSB 4606 FFSD/FFS/FFW

The BEKO frost free fridge freezer models affected were manufactured between January 2000 and October 2006. These have a serial number that begins with either 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 or 06. and this information can be found on a label inside the fridge. Beko is making a free of charge modification to all affected models, this modification takes approximately 30mins.

If you own an affected product, or if you are unsure if your product is affected, call the Beko free phone number on 0800 009 4837 between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday. Beko will arrange to visit your home and make the modification to the product completely free of charge.

All affect Glotech customers have already been contacted.

The Technical Stuff:

Beko have released a kit which is prevents these machines from catching fire

The kit includes:

Outer Timer box assembly, Electronic timer board box (instead of mechanical timer.), 2 pcs screw, 170mmx80mm aluminum foil.

As you can see from these images the result is an improved timer defrost and cover and a better insulated capacitor.

If you have any questions about this at all please don’t hesitate to contact Glotech or Beko.

About the Dishwasher:

Performance

Energy Efficiency class: A Wash Performance class: A Drying class: A

Consumption in programme Economy 50:

17 l water / 1.05 kwh electricity / 140 min duration

Noise level: 54 dB (re 1 pW)

Capacity: 12 place settings

Key Features

4 programmes & 3 temperatures

2 foldable plate racks in bottom basket

Design

Red LED indicators

LED salt refill indicator, LED rinse aid refill indicator

This Competition is now Closed. Please see our competition page for our other competitions. Click Here…

About the Machine:

Performance

A energy, A wash and B spin class

A-10%: 10% more energy efficient than energy class A

Washing capacity:6 kg

Spin speed selection 1400 to 600 rpm

Noise level: washing 57 dB (re 1pW), Noise level: spinning 77 dB (re 1pW)

Key features

LED indication of programme status

Safeguard monitoring system adjusts load distribution and programme settings to protect clothes

Dimensions (H X W X D): 84.7 x 60 x 59 cm

Can be built-under

To put on DEMO or take off DEMO.

the clock must be set to 0000 for this to work, to set clock, press button with clock symbol

then using the – or + adjust time to read 00H00, then press ok.

now within 10 seconds of setting the time you first press and hold the – (minus) button then while holding the – button press and hold the + (plus) button, continue to hold both buttons until you hear a long bleep (approx 10 seconds) and the demo word will appear, you use the same method to take off DEMO.

Glotech can now repair all domestic appliances in London, Hertfordshire and Luton. Including everywhere within the M25.

Glotech New Postcodes:

East London

E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, E10, E11, E12, E13, E14, E15, E16, E17, E18, E1W, EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4,

South London

SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, SE5, SE6, SE7, SE8, SE9, SE10, SE11, SE12, SE13, SE14, SE15, SE16, SE17, SE18, SE19, SE20, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24, SE25, SE26, SE27, SE28,

SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW19, SW20,

Greater London:

RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4, RM5, RM6, RM7, RM8, RM9, RM10, RM11, RM12, RM13, RM14, RM15, RM19, RM20,

SM1, SM2, SM3, SM4, SM5, SM6, SM7,

BR1, BR2, BR3, BR4, BR5, BR6, BR7, BR8,

CR0, CR2, CR3, CR4, CR5, CR6, CR7, CR8,

DA1, DA2, DA5, DA6, DA7, DA8, DA14, DA15, DA16, DA17, DA18

TW1, TW2, TW3, TW4, TW5, TW6, TW7, TW8, TW9, TW10, TW11, TW12, TW13, TW14, TW15, TW16, TW17, TW18, TW19, TW20,

UB1, UB2, UB3, UB4, UB5, UB6, UB7, UB8, UB9, UB10, UB11