From the 1-10 November Glasgow-based social enterprise Remade Network will be encouraging Glasgow residents, COP26 delegates and businesses to donate unwanted electrical and electronic goods at Remade Network’s tech drops across the city.
The aim is to prevent 500 unwanted electrical items weighing one tonne from going to landfill and save CO2 emissions. This is being launched in partnership with groups and businesses across the city, and with support from Material Focus, the not for profit behind the Recycle Your Electricals campaign.
Electrical items donated to Remade Network will be reused or repaired if possible, with the rest being recycled. All proceeds will support digital inclusion and community repair projects across the city.
Research from the Recycle Your Electricals campaign found that 155,000 tonnes of electricals are discarded every year in the UK. 2.8 million tonnes of CO2 emission could be saved, equivalent to taking 1.3 million cars off the road if all our old small electricals that are being thrown away or hoarded were recycled.
Over 10 community groups and businesses across the city have already signed up to take part in the scheme by hosting a pop-up ‘tech drop’ – where electronic waste is collected.
Recycling electricals is an easy way for everyone to take a simple action to reduce CO2 emissions
Manager at LUSH Glasgow City, Magz Macphee-David said: “I’m delighted Lush Buchanan Street can take part in this project. As a city centre business, we want to make it easier for people to recycle their goods “
Scott Butler, Executive Director, Material Focus said: “Waste electricals are the fastest growing waste stream in the UK, and we are throwing away some of our most precious resources on our planet forever.
“Our unwanted tech contains amazing amounts of gold, platinum, silver and copper, and can either be recycled or refurbished and given to someone in need. Recycling electricals is an easy way for everyone to take a simple action to reduce CO2 emissions. We hope that Glasgow residents, businesses, and COP26 delegates will help Remade Network meet their target of collecting 500 electricals.
Remade Network Director Sophie Unwin said: “We need to move from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy – this scheme will help low-income families, students, refugees and communities across the city benefit from access to vital tech. We’re really grateful for everyone’s support and excited to set this collective challenge.”
Glasgow Residents can find their local recycling point here.
