Think of the second-hand shop before getting rid of it as bulky waste

We’re often asked whether we can take away old furniture, bulky waste and electrical appliances. The answer is simple: yes… Furniture, household items and other bulky waste can be disposed of in a bulky waste skip. And no… we can’t take away electrical appliances. Residents should hand these in at a Wecycle collection point, such as the municipal depot, a large DIY store or an electronics shop. Electronics shops are also required to take back an old appliance when you buy a replacement.

Lots of old materials, belongings and appliances that end up as bulky waste still have value. Even items that are broken, outdated or damaged can be – or become – valuable once repaired. Here’s a tip that’s sure to be appreciated and might even save you money: take it to the second-hand shop.

The arrival of plastic, together with economic growth and prosperity over the past 50 years, has turned us into a throwaway society. When we’ve grown tired of our ‘old’ things, we often replace them without a second thought. Worn-out household items get thrown out, and broken electrical appliances are rarely repaired any more. Fortunately, we’re slowly starting to realise that we need to take better care of our raw materials and our planet. This way of thinking fits perfectly with the vision of the second-hand shop. Second-hand shops accept large household appliances, whether they work or not. You can also bring furniture in good condition, toys, baby items (they’re always very happy with those) and (children’s) clothing. Electronics and other items are repaired, so they’re welcome too. And the best part: second-hand shops will often collect your old things completely free of charge! Handy if you don’t have the time or means to drop them off yourself.

CO2 reduction The aim of second-hand shops is to reduce waste streams. Research by TNO shows that every tonne of goods collected – and therefore kept out of landfill – results in a reduction of one tonne of CO². It doesn’t get much more sustainable than that, does it?

Broken fridge, grubby microwave, or are you having a new kitchen fitted? Many electrical appliances can be handed in free of charge when you buy a new, similar product. So if your microwave breaks, you can take it back to the shop, and the supplier delivering your new fridge is required to take the old one away free of charge. At large electrical retailers, you can often hand in your old appliance without buying a new one. Small appliances (under 25 cm), such as your electric toothbrush or smartphone, can be handed in at various shops. Some businesses, such as Wastenet or DIY stores, also often have bins where you can drop off your old mobile phones.

Recycling Electrical appliances are often around 75% recyclable, as they contain lots of reusable materials. Many appliances contain steel, aluminium, copper, glass, iron, plastics, silver or gold. Some appliances, such as fridges, contain harmful substances that need to be treated separately. Old fridges may still contain CFCs and HFCs. These substances must not end up in the environment: HFCs are greenhouse gases, and CFCs damage the ozone layer when they are released.