Recycle electricals as new kerbside collections trial begins

People in East Suffolk are being urged to recycle their electrical items as a new scheme started in towns, villages and a parish in the south of the district this week.

With East Suffolk Council teaming up with Material Focus as part of a nationwide campaign that is aiming to significantly reduce e-waste, householders in the district are being urged to recycle their electricals via a new kerbside collections trial.

It will see small electrical items collected from the kerbside across East Suffolk - with the hope that 120,000 households will get behind the recycling drive.

Electrical collections are being rolled out in parts of East Suffolk this week. Picture: East Suffolk Council (Image: East Suffolk Council)

A council spokesman said: "Electrical collections are being rolled out in parts of East Suffolk this week.

"Collections will begin in parts of Felixstowe, Kesgrave, Melton, Knodishall, Sutton Heath and Martlesham – to be sure whether collections are starting in your area, look out for our leaflet.

"If you have received a leaflet, you will be able to recycle small electrical items from home."

Householders will be able to place up to two small electrical items on top of your bins on the usual bin collection day each week with refuse crews taking them away for recycling.

The trial electrical kerbside collections will also be introduced soon in parts of Lowestoft, Kessingland, Oulton, Pakefield, Carlton Colville, Wrentham and Worlingham in the north of the district.

The council spokesman added: "Collected items will be sorted for recycling and where appropriate, given to a local repair shed before selling the items to raise money for charity.

"Collections are being rolled out in stages across the district over the next few months and by May 2025, all households in East Suffolk will receive these collections.

"You can leave up to two items out each week – please be aware that if the collection basket on the refuse vehicle is full, items may need to be collected the following week."

The collections are funded by Material Focus, the not for profit organisation leading the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, who have provided £60,724 to support this project.