Unwanted Electrical Items Have The Power To Do More

Published: 29th of July, 2022

Glasgow City Council is teaming up with Valpak Ltd to promote the reuse of small electrical items, as part of its environmental compliance partner's 'Power to Do More' campaign.

Donated items will be collected, tested, and given to local charities, Refuweegee and Glasgow Tool Library, for them to be reused.

Starting on 1 August, the reuse event will take place throughout the month and donations can be made at all four of the city's Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC). Collection points will be marked, and site representatives will be on hand to assist residents in segregating their small electrical items.

Items sought by refugee charity, Refuweegee, to help settle and welcome new arrivals to Scotland, include microwaves, kettles, toasters, vacuum, cleaners, irons, DVD players, games consoles, food processors, TVs and tablets.

Glasgow Tool Library, where people can join and borrow power tools for DIY and craft projects, is looking for items including drills, saws, wallpaper strippers and garden tools.

The donated items will be inspected and tested by specialist recycling companies CCL (North) and Restructa to make sure they are in working order before being distributed to the charities.

Participating in the 'Power to do More' campaign is helping the city to promote the idea of choosing to reuse; extending the useful life of unused items and helping us to live more sustainably.

Glasgow is aiming to be a circular city by 2045. This involves encouraging sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, repurposing and recycling existing materials and products, keeping them in circulation for as long as possible. Moving away from the 'make, take, dispose' model of consumption that contributes to the climate crisis.

Reusing items redirects waste from landfill, conserves limited resources by reducing consumption, and can meet others needs locally or make items available to those who cannot afford to purchase new. 

Councillor Angus Millar, climate convenor, said: "Previous campaigns have been successful but this year we want to encourage more people than ever to have a clear out and donate any unwanted, small, electrical items that you think could be given to someone else, in need, to use.

"Electrical waste is a growing waste stream for the council to manage and we want to minimise its production and maximise the longevity of the items and materials, donated by members of the public.

"Campaigns such as this one help us towards achieving our ambitions set out in the Glasgow Climate Plan, Circular Economy Route map and Resource and Recycling Strategy, all working towards Glasgow becoming a greener and more sustainable city."

Valpak's Commercial Account Manager, Paul McCaig, said "This is a fantastic joint event aimed to reduce the unnecessary waste of electrical items, whilst providing support for the incredible work undertaken by Refuweegee and Glasgow Tool Library. We are delighted to build on the success of the 2021 reuse event and welcome the support of CCL North and Restructa in the testing of donated items in the upcoming reuse month."

Alison Gallacher, from CCL, said; "CCL and Restructa are proud once again to offer our support to Valpak and Glasgow City Council. We look to have a positive impact by promoting the reuse of electrical items and extending product lifecycles through reuse and repair. Through this, we work towards creating social inclusion and sustainable long-term, green-skilled employment opportunities."

"By partnering with Valpak, the council and their respective charities, we can get these products to the people that need them, but also create awareness about the importance of reuse and properly recycling this type of product safely, securely and sustainably within the UK."
 
For your nearest household waste recycling centre and opening times please visit https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17040

For more information on donating items for reuse please visit https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17042 

1. Donations can be dropped off from 1 - 31 August 2022.
2. All four HWRCs will have donation points. HWRCs are open Monday - Sunday, 08:00 - 18:00 (last entry 17:45)
3. GCC's HWRCs are for Glasgow residents only - proof of residency in Glasgow maybe required