Clear out your 'drawer of doom' this International E-Waste Day

Let’s be honest – most people in Richmond have a ‘drawer of doom’: old chargers, tangled cables and broken gadgets gathering dust. This International E-Waste Day is the perfect time to act. Together we can repair, reuse or recycle those forgotten electricals – cutting waste and keeping Richmond green.

Repair and keep your electricals going

Before you throw anything away, why not see if it can be repaired? The London Repair Directory lists trusted repairers in our borough who meet three key standards:

• Offer a warranty on repairs
• Have at least 80% positive online reviews
• Provide a physical address for contact

Do you want to learn how to fix your own items? Join your local Repair Café in Twickenham or Kew. Run by local Richmond residents, these friendly events are a great way to learn new skills, meet your neighbours, and give your broken items a new lease of life. 

Reuse and keep electricals in circulation

If your old electricals still work, consider giving them a second life. There’s a good chance someone in Richmond would make good use of your old tech.

You can easily share or giveaway items through:

• Freegle – A free exchange site to keep usable items out of waste
• Facebook Marketplace – Perfect for passing on your items to friends or local neighbours and finding second-hand sales
• Gumtree – Another second hand sales site that offers a great way to pass on electricals or find pre-loved replacements

Recycling made easy in Richmond

Richmond leads the way when it comes to e-waste recycling with plenty of convenient options to choose from:

• Recycling banks: There are 19 electrical recycling banks located across the borough
• Recycling centres: Book a visit to Townmead Road Reuse and Recycling Centre
• Retail drop-off points: Many large supermarkets and electronic retailers accept small electricals for recycling

You can also make use of home collections services:

• Kerbside collections – Leave a bag of electricals out on your next collection day and our crews will recycle them for you
• TRAID offers a collection service for textiles and a complimentary bag of electricals – it’s a convenient option as you get to pick a day that suits you
• Anglo Doorstep Collections – A free home collection service for reusable items