Your home could contain hidden gold - recycle your electronics

Those reasons are: many unwanted items still work, someone might thank you for a device they could not afford to buy new, stop precious resources, such as gold and silver, going to waste, good for people and the planet

A recent survey estimated there were 40 million unused tech gadgets hidden away in our homes – from mobile phones, tablets and laptops to televisions and games consoles.

Many of these products contain precious metals in the electronics.

The average UK household has 20 unwanted electricals gathering dust.

If we passed these on to charities, they could make a big difference to people’s lives.

Waste experts at the Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham (BDR) Waste Partnership and Renewi, the firm behind the household waste treatment facility at Manvers, are encouraging everyone to hand on unwanted devices rather than throw them away.

Community Education Officer, Abi Reid, who is based at Manvers, said: “It would be great if more unused, but working devices, could be passed on to help someone who may not be able to afford a new product.

“Incorrect disposal of electronics also means that the valuable, precious metals and materials they contain are lost. These metals can be recycled into new things. By recycling our old electricals, we could cut as much CO 2 as taking 1.3 million cars off the road.”

Many of the devices contain batteries which can be dangerous if thrown away in general household waste or recycling bins.

The batteries can cause fires and explosions, posing a hazard to waste workers and may leak hazardous chemicals, contributing to water and air pollution.

For more information check out www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk and the blogs on www.wasteless-sy.co.uk

*The award-winning waste treatment facility at Manvers processes around a quarter of a million tonnes of leftover waste a year from 340,000 homes across Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham, turning it into useful products rather than sending it to landfill.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Dominic Brown, editor.