Almost 6,000kg of electrical items collected as phase two of Fixy concludes

The recently concluded second phase of the Fixy Project – which helps residents reuse, repair and recycle their electricals across Somerset – has seen more than 5,700kg of electrical items collected at tech amnesty events and 2,700 conversations had with residents across the county in the twelve-month period from November 2023-24.

As well as continuing its outreach efforts from the first phase of the project – with a particular focus on those in remote rural areas with less access to community repair and reuse groups – Fixy’s second phase saw it play a leading role in establishing pink electrical bin trials in flats, which do not currently have access to kerbside electricals collections.

The Fixy Project, which is managed by Resource Futures, is currently supported by local community groups, Somerset Council and their waste collection contractor SUEZ recycling and recovery UK. This phase of the project has been funded by Material Focus’ Electrical Recycling Fund, one of over 40 UK projects funded through this programme that has enabled easier access for 10 million UK residents to recycle or repair their electrical items. 

Projects funded through this scheme include a variety of recycling methods: from kerbside collections to more drop-off points in schools, community centres, and bring banks. Overall, it is thought that over 400 new collection points plus kerbside collections have been established for 5.5 million UK residents.

While increasing recycling availability was a key goal from Phase Two, Fixy also promotes the repair and refurbishment of electrical items through Somerset’s network of repair groups and accepts donations of smart tech, which are distributed to the community, helping to address the digital divide and reduce digital poverty. 

Material Focus’ funding cycle for the Fixy project has now ended. Somerset Council and SUEZ UK, have confirmed their backing of the project whilst further funding is secured.

This project has demonstrated how committed the local community is to recycling their small electricals when simple recycling methods are made accessible. Alongside the project an on-going leaflet and poster campaign featuring Hypnocat – the Recycle Your Electricals campaign mascot – served to remind residents that anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled and turned into something new.  

“Fixy is a solution to a real and pressing problem for people,” says Fixy Project Co-ordinator Linda Hull. “Nearly everyone has a drawer of doom, stuffed with old devices that are full of precious metals.

“People are keen to declutter and donate their old devices, happy in the knowledge that they will be securely wiped then refurbished and given to someone in need, free of charge, if possible, or will be responsibly recycled.”

“The Fixy Project has proven that small electrical recycling is important to the area and its residents,” agrees Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus. “We are delighted with how engaged and supportive the local community has been and how the investment from the Electrical Recycling Fund has funded the local project. 

“As e-waste is the fastest growing waste stream, we hope to continue to see a rise in the amount of electricals recycled across the UK”

Why recovering e-waste matters

Recycle Your Electricals research has shown that 80% of consumers believe recycling is a good thing – and that most of us have unwanted electricals we want to get rid of.

On average there are at least 30 electricals hidden away in drawers in UK homes, a total of 880 million items across the UK – with a simple repair many could be donated or sold to people who could put them to good use.

Yet 39% of people currently bin their electricals, rather than recycle or reuse them, leading to over 100,000 tonnes of electricals thrown away every year.  

Kerbside collections for small electrical items – such as those introduced in Somerset – are becoming increasingly common, and anything larger than a carrier bag can be taken to a recycling site (residents can find their nearest drop off point by visiting Recycle Your Electricals). 

For Somerset residents, smart tech items can be dropped off across the county: visit donateit.co.uk to check drop-off points or visit Fixy on the road at one of the upcoming events (details can be found on Somerset Council’s site).