Eco Show and Tell

By Sofya Firsakova and Shiri Atsmon

Electronic waste is likely not something that is at the forefront of your mind when you think of sustainability issues. However, The UK is the second-largest producer of electronic waste globally. This month’s blog dives into how you can reduce your electronic waste, such as taking steps to look after your tech and dispose of it correctly when the time comes.

The problem 

Under 20% of electronic waste reaches recycling facilities, meaning the remaining waste is disposed of elsewhere. Around 500,000 tonnes of it is illegally exported each year, with a large proportion of this being dumped in lower income countries, contributing to chemical pollution and conflicts. 

Recycling e-waste ensures toxic substances in electronics, such as mercury and lead, are correctly managed. It not only helps the environment, but also allows non-profit organisations and low-income families to obtain second-hand equipment they may otherwise not afford. 

The slide below elaborates on the issue.

A Quick Overview 

What Steps Can You Take?

Reduce the amount of new electronics you use  

The number one way to help the issue is to look after the electronics you already have. Put in the effort to store your wires as straight as possible and pull on your headphones carefully. Use the correct chargers for your tech to preserve its life and optimise the battery life of your tech and its performance by using battery saver settings.

Buying electronics second-hand is both cheaper and more sustainable. Second-hand phones are much cheaper than new ones and can even with warranties.

Invest in your tech 

Interestingly, psychologically, we are much more likely to value something we paid a higher price for, and are therefore more careful with it. Moreover, higher quality, more expensive items will likely outlast cheaper alternatives. Don’t re-buy that flimsy cable for the third time; invest in accessories that are durable and increase your tech’s longevity.

Don’t forget to protect your technology by buying durable cases and screen protectors. Read the reviews and prioritise accessories certified by the device manufacturer, for example using only Apple’s charging plugs for your iPhone. 

• https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/uk-generated-2nd-largest-amount-of-e-waste-as-a-country-in-2022
• https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/reduce-waste/how-to-reduce-e-waste/ 
• https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/problems-with-e-waste/ 

A Short Summary

The slide below efficiently shows a number of ways you can reduce your tech’s carbon footprint and negative impact on the environment from ‘refusing’ (for example refusing to upgrade to a new device) to recycling.

Tune in to our very own zero-waste webinar. Fast forward to minutes 57:37 where we discuss the above ideas in more detail:

Barnet, London & National campaigns and specialist websites

N11 Repair Cafe:

Visit the Friern Barnet Community Library Repair Cafe every fourth Sunday of the month between 11:am to 1pm, for a day dedicated to fixing, creating, and reusing! Our monthly Repair Cafe is completely free and the ideal spot to bring your broken items for our talented repairers to fix, including small electrical devices and other items.

Barnet Council’s Repair Cafes:

Barnet Council periodically organises a repair cafe in various parts of the borough. To receive the latest sustainability news and events from Barnet Council, including the details of the next repair cafe, subscribe to the BarNET ZERO newsletter: www.engage.barnet.gov.uk/net-zero

50% repair voucher scheme:

Toaster broken? Kettle giving up? London Recycles is offering anyone living in North London (Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest) 50% off the cost of electrical and electronic product repairs.

To get a voucher, fill out the application form. Your voucher will be emailed to you, and you can use it at a participating business near you.

Donate or Recycle your electronics in Barnet 

The biggest problem with recycling is often not the action, but knowing where to go. The Barnet website had a very useful page on where to recycle old electronics, and we’ve written some key information out here for you: 

• Put your postcode here, as well as what type of electronic item you have, and whether you’d like to repair, donate or recycle it. You will then receive listings of all the places near you where you can do just that, including Brent Cross Shopping Mall, Currys in Staples Corner and more! This directory by Recycle Your Electricals is incredibly helpful!
• Donate your old laptops or tablets to any Barnet library if they are less than 8 years old. These will then get refurbished and passed onto digitally excluded Barnet residents through a wonderful local charity – 2econdchance. 
• Batteries can be placed on top of your blue bin in a clear bag. Likewise, many grocery stores such as Sainsbury’s have designated battery bins you can throw them into.
• Get rid of large electronics, such as dishwashers, TVs and microwaves, by booking free home collections through this link, provided by the North London Waste Authority.

National Campaigns 

There are a number of great campaigns encouraging you to to think about the sustainability of your tech and providing useful information to help. 

The Great Cable Challenge is redirecting the precious copper in old cables to fulfil the UK’s demand for copper. It even helps you find your local recycling point! The Great Cable Challenge marks International E-Waste Day (14th October 2025), and challenges the UK to tackle the millions of cables and other electricals sitting idle in our homes, to save the copper from going to waste. The challenge urges people to bag up their old cables – or any old electricals in your ‘drawer of doom’! – and take them to a recycling point during October. 

Restart provides useful resources such as the ability to locate your local repair event. They also celebrate International Repair Day on 18th October 2025.

Take the Jump is an initiative encouraging individual behaviour in reducing greenhouse emissions, and the End Clutter campaign focuses on encouraging people to keep products for at least 7 years. Their campaign even includes resources such as podcasts, books and movies.

Engage Your Community

We’ve compiled some ideas to help get your community involved. An easy way to start is by sharing some of the campaigns we mentioned above! Inspire even greater change by collecting your community’s recyclable electronics or organising a repair event.