Recycle or donate your e-waste in Nottingham

More than 20 million tonnes of e-waste has been thrown out so far in 2023.

The latest technology gives businesses powerful tools to compete in the digital age. But what happens to the old laptops, monitors and phones that new devices replace?

Just 12.5% of e-waste is recycled. The vast majority ends up in landfill, despite the fact that many devices still work, or could at least be recycled.

Nottingham is one of the largest tech hubs in the UK, home to leading innovators in the sector. We’re all becoming more aware of our impact on the environment, and businesses should be conscious of the waste they produce.

If you’re looking to offload your old tech, we’ve found some of the best places you can recycle or donate your e-waste in Nottingham.

CPR Computer Recycling

CPR Computer Recycling offers a free collection service throughout Nottinghamshire for all commercial, educational and government organisations looking to recycle their old technology. The list of accepted items includes:

• Monitors
• Desktops
• Servers
• Tablets
• Phones

When your items are collected, you receive a manifest declaring that CPR has taken responsibility for those items. CPR then send a certificate once all data has been wiped from any devices.

SE Recycling

SE Recycling was founded in 2013, and now provides secure IT disposal services for the whole of the UK.

After you contact them, one of SE Recycling’s specialists will run an assessment and determine the best solution for disposing of your technology. The collection may be free, but is in some cases charged.

Devices that can’t be 100% certified as fully working are broken down for recycling, ensuring that no parts end up in landfill. Their data destruction methods include physical hard drive shredding, data sanitisation (using software to wipe data) and degaussing (exposing the hard drive to a strong magnetic field).

HazExperts

HazExperts specialise in the disposal of hazardous and difficult waste, including e-waste. Its Nottingham service can collect up to 1300kg in-house, with larger volumes collected via a partner fleet.

If you have a large amount of e-waste to dispose of, HazExperts offer a container service, whereby you fill a container that is then collected. Collection is available across Nottingham and the surrounding areas.

Revive IT

Revive IT offer free computer and WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling. As a part of the service, Revive IT will destroy any data on collected devices.

The collection service runs across Nottingham, whether you’re located in Billborough or Trent Bridge. The data destruction service includes a certificate upon completion.

Eco IT

Eco IT operates a free IT disposal service, which includes a detailed asset report, secure data destruction with certificate and environmental paperwork. Over 90% of its customers benefit from cost-free IT disposal and data destruction.

Eco IT accepts a wide range of unwanted technology, including computer towers, laptops and notebooks, servers and server racks, and printers. Its secure data destruction service is compliant with UK government standards and includes a detailed report upon conclusion.

The importance of recycling: The 3 “R’s”

The extraction and production of materials like plastic are damaging to the environment. While a necessary evil in modern society, the scale of production can be reduced by following the 3 “R’s” of recycling.

The three “R’s” in recycling stand for Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. These three principles encourage responsible consumption and waste reduction.

Reduce: The first “R” emphasises the importance of reducing waste at the source. It involves using fewer resources, purchasing less, and using existing products more sustainably. By being mindful of our consumption, we can minimise the amount of waste we generate. This is achieved through practices like avoiding single-use items, opting for durable and long-lasting products, and making conscious choices to limit excess packaging.

Reuse: The second “R” promotes the idea of reusing items whenever possible. Instead of throwing away items after a single use, we reuse them to extend their lifespan. This can involve repairing and refurbishing items, donating them to others who can use them, or repurposing them for different functions. By reusing items, we reduce the need for new products and prevent unnecessary waste.

Recycle: The third “R” encourages recycling as a means to divert waste from landfills and conserve resources. Recycling involves the collection and processing of materials that can be transformed into new products. Commonly recycled materials include paper, glass, plastic, metal, and certain types of electronics. Recycling reduces the demand for raw materials and energy-intensive manufacturing processes, thus minimising the environmental impact associated with extracting and producing new materials.

The three “R’s” are meant to be followed in order of priority. Ideally, reducing waste is the main aim, followed by reusing items as much as possible, and finally recycling when the first two aren’t practical. By incorporating these principles into our daily lives, we can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.