Reuse and recycle electrical items

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What you can recycle

You can recycle anything with a plug, battery, or cable, including:

  • smartphones
  • charging cables 
  • disposable vapes
  • broken kitchen appliances such as toasters or blenders
  • electric shavers
  • electric toothbrushes
  • hair dryers 
  • computers
  • laptops
  • tablets
  • game consoles 
  • televisions
  • speakers
  • remote controls

Use the electricals recycling locator to find shops or electrical recycling points near you, and the items you can take to them.

Laptops and tablets

You can drop off unwanted laptops or tablets that are less than 8 years old at any Barnet Library.

These will be collected by 2econd Chance who will refurbish the device and ensure that it goes to a digitally excluded Barnet resident.

2econd Chance can issue certification to give you peace of mind that your data has been completely erased.

If you’re getting rid of an old phone, laptop or another device that holds personal information, make sure you delete your data first.

More information about the refurbished laptop scheme

Batteries

Disposing your batteries in your household bins can result in fires when they are crushed in bin collection vehicles or recycling centres. So, make sure you recycle your batteries properly.

Household batteries can be recycled through your weekly recycling collections. Just place them on top of the lid of your blue bin in a clear bag. Please don’t put batteries inside the bin.

Household and other types of batteries can be taken to Summers Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre, one of the other North London Reuse and Recycling Centres or use the electricals recycling locator to find shops or electrical recycling points where you can drop these off.

Electric disposable vapes 

Vapes should not be disposed of in your household recycling or waste bin. Similar to items with batteries, cables, or plugs, vapes can be recycled at any north London reuse and recycling centre or use a take back-scheme. This includes single-use, rechargeable and those with a single-use chamber. 

More information on recycling vapes and take back-scheme

Large electrical items

Barnet is in the North London Waste Authority Area, which means residents can book a free home collection of large electrical items.

Collections in Barnet will take place on a Monday. Bookings are currently open for April. 

Items accepted include:

  • cookers
  • dishwashers
  • fridges and freezers
  • tumble dryers
  • washing machines
  • large televisions or monitors
  • microwaves
  • vacuum cleaners.

Request a collection.

Some items can also be donated to organisations such as Barnet Furniture Centre and British Heart Foundation. 

Small electrical items

Small electrical items can also be taken to the Summers Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre or one of the other North London Reuse and Recycling Centres.

Some items can also be donated to organisations such as Barnet Furniture Centre and British Heart Foundation.  

Give away items

There are many websites where you can give away electrical items you no longer need if they are in good working order:

The person receiving the item may be required to collect the item from the person giving the item away.

Check your waste carrier is licensed

You can check whether a company is registered as a 'carrier of waste' by visiting the Environment Agency online register