Small electrical items are easy to keep because they take up very little space. A spare charger, old phone, unused hairdryer or kitchen appliance can sit in a drawer for months before you decide what to do with it.
The best route depends on whether the item still works, whether it contains personal data and how it is powered. A little sorting first can help you reuse more, recycle safely and avoid filling a general waste bin with something that needs a specialist route.
What counts as a small electrical item?
As a simple rule, think of anything that has a plug, uses batteries, needs charging or displays the crossed-out wheelie-bin symbol. Common examples include:
- phones, tablets, cameras and small speakers
- chargers, cables and computer accessories
- kettles, toasters, blenders and coffee machines
- hairdryers, straighteners, shavers and electric toothbrushes
- lamps, torches and Christmas tree lights
- radios, games consoles, electronic toys and small appliances
Check the item and your local guidance if you are unsure. The route can be different for batteries, gas-powered equipment, large appliances and anything damaged or unsafe.
If it still works, try reuse first
An item that is clean, complete and working may be useful to somebody else. You could:
- give it to a friend, neighbour or community group
- sell it or offer it through a local reuse network
- ask a charity shop whether it accepts that type of electrical item
- check whether the manufacturer or retailer offers a trade-in or take-back route
Charity shops have their own safety and testing arrangements, so do not assume every shop accepts electrical goods. Ask before travelling, especially for items with plugs, batteries or data storage. Include the correct cable, charger, remote or other essential parts where you can.
Wipe personal data before passing devices on
Phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, games consoles, printers and smart devices may contain personal information even when they no longer work normally. Before selling, donating or recycling one:
- Back up anything you want to keep.
- Sign out of accounts and remove the device from services such as Find My Device.
- Remove SIM and memory cards.
- Use the manufacturer’s reset or secure-erasure instructions.
- Check that the device no longer shows your accounts, photos or messages.
Deleting a few files or formatting a drive is not always enough. If a device is faulty and contains sensitive information, ask a suitable specialist about secure deletion. A device that will not turn on may still contain accessible data.
If it no longer works, recycle it properly
Do not put unwanted electrical items in the household rubbish. The UK government advises taking them to an appropriate collection point, such as a household waste recycling centre or another electrical-recycling service. Some local authorities collect small electricals at home, but the instructions vary.
Retailers must accept an old electrical product for free when you buy a new equivalent. Larger electrical retailers also have obligations to accept some small electrical items without a purchase, subject to the rules about store size and item dimensions. Check the retailer’s current arrangements before making a special trip.
Keep electrical items separate while you work out their route. Recycle loose batteries through a battery collection point where possible. Tape the terminals of lithium batteries before taking them to a collection point, and never put damaged or swollen batteries in a bin; seek advice from the relevant local service.
Separate reusable items from recycling
It helps to make two small piles rather than one large “electronics” box:
- Working and complete: suitable for checking with a charity, reuse group, friend or buyer.
- Broken, unsafe or incomplete: suitable for an electrical-recycling route, repair assessment or specialist advice.
An item that needs more than a minor repair is not automatically a donation. Be honest about its condition and do not pass on anything with a damaged cable, exposed wiring, leaking battery or other safety risk.
Where a regular collection can help
Small electricals often arrive alongside other everyday items: clothes that no longer fit, books you have finished, toys that have been outgrown, duplicate homeware and unwanted gifts. Each item may have a sensible next step, but the errands can build up.
Keeping these items together while they are sorted can make the process more manageable. The OutBasket is designed for small everyday items that fit within its basket-sized service, with outcomes such as resale, donation, storage, recycling or return. It is not a route for large appliances, furniture, mattresses, house clearance or building waste.
Before handing over any device, remove personal data and check the current guidance for anything that needs a dedicated electrical or battery-recycling route. If you have a steady stream of suitable unwanted items, check whether The OutBasket is available in your area.