Computer Recycling in London

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Laptop Recycling in London

Laptop Recycling in London

Monitor Recycling in London

Monitor Recycling in London

Server Recycling in London

Server Recycling in London

Network Equipment Recycling in London

Network Equipment Recycling in London

Learn more about Computer Recycling in London

There is a great need for an effective up to date waste management strategy for computer recycling in London due to the amount of computers that are discarded or require replacing from thousands of homes and offices throughout the capital.

The majority of computer waste and the biggest need for computer recycling comes from Personal Computers, which are a variety of micro computers designed for individual use at work or home. In contrast, mini and mainframe computers such as servers used by governments and businesses are more likely to be repaired or updated before being discarded by the organisation, and therefore produce less overall waste.

The problem of large amounts of consumer PC waste is due in part to technological developments in programmable software needing new hardware functions in order to run. However, the other cause of frequent computer replacement is also the result of planned or ‘built in obsolescence’, whereby manufacturers can literally build or program a computer to only function for a set length of time before they ‘break’ or become prematurely incompatible with new software (even if it uses the same operating system), which is a big reason we are seeing such a rise in electronic waste and therefore the need for more sustainable computer disposal processes that ensure proper computer recycling or resume. Despite the financial penalties imposed on companies who are found to use built in obsolescence in their product design, the practice continues, with some well known consumer brands quite obviously engaging in planned obsolescence, safe in the knowledge that consumers will buy their products anyway.

While you can be aware of the issue of ‘planned obsolescence’ there is little that the average consumer can do to combat the problem, short of building your own computer. If your desktop PC develops a fault, stops working or no longer meets your requirements, Wayst can offer quick, easy and environmentally friendly computer disposal services across London and is well equipped to handle the recycling of the peripheral equipment that comes with your computer too including cables, mice, keyboards, LCD screens and monitors.

We arrange safe, compliant computer collections and ensure the service providers we work with transport the waste computers to a registered AATF (approved authorised treatment facility) to be put through a data destruction process prior to being put through either a reuse or computer recycling process. We ensure you are provided with a clear trail throughout the computer disposal process so you know exactly where your computer has gone and how it is being disposed of under U.K. law. The Wayst standard for meeting Environment Agency legislation ensures that your waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) is processed responsibly and with a 100% landfill diversion rate.

When you are in need of a secure and environmentally friendly computer recycling service, get in touch. The Wayst platform guarantees this taking the hassle out of searching for a compliant supplier.
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How to prepare for computer disposal

If you find that you need to get rid of an old computer, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your personal information remains secure and that stored data is erased permanently from the hard drive. This is a really fundamental part of the computer disposal process.

The first step is to backup files that you want to keep either to cloud storage or an external hard drive, which is arguably the most secure option. Next you will need to start unlinking your computer from your online accounts and deleting your personal data and sensitive files by uninstalling programs, and deleting and overwriting files and folders in your drive. You can also delete your browsing history, turn on drive encryption, and unlink online accounts that recognise your computer as one of your devices.

Performing a factory reset will return your default settings and uninstall your programs, however to make sure files are permanently deleted from your hard drive it will be very hard to ensure this 100% as software or erasure programs that can do this at a high level are only available to buy in bulk and can be expensive. To ensure maximum data security we recommend using one of our reputable and thoroughly qualified computer recycling that specialise in data destruction partners as they all use data wiping software that ensures your data and or information is destroyed with no chance of retrieval.
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Parts of a computer to consider when recycling

The main parts to consider throughout the computer recycling process are the hard drive and monitor, which are built into many desktop computers as one unit. If the computer consists of a separate hard drive and screen, they are easier to process, and similarly if ancillary equipment is separate, it may be considered as simple electronic waste if the batteries are removable.

Computer equipment that might contain batteries includes wireless keyboards, mice, controllers and headsets, cameras and microphones, and removing the batteries prior to computer recycling makes the equipment safer to transport as batteries can combust if they are not disposed of properly.

Any IT equipment with built in rechargeable batteries is classed as hazardous waste and cannot be collected from a commercial premises without a consignment note. Similarly LCD screens and monitors contain chemicals which make them hazardous, and anything containing a computer chipset also contains hazardous metals such as mercury and lead, and harmful metal elements such as chromium, beryllium and cadmium, making the computer disposal process tricky, that requires the expertise to environmentally friendly dispose of it.
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Computer recycling for charity

Due to the hazardous nature of computers as a waste stream, processing and recycling the materials, and recovering metals from inside the hardware is an expensive and laborious process. While it is obvious that computer recycling is better than irresponsible computer disposal to recover materials and parts, reusing computers is by far the most cost effective and environmentally friendly option available.

Many people choose to donate their old computers to charity because it is a direct way of them being circulated back into use while benefiting independent organisations within the community. However, although this is a valid cause you still need to ensure that the data and/or information stored on your computer has been thoroughly destroyed before you hand it over to anyone.

If you search online to check if there is a WEEE charity in your area for drop off, or to request a free collection please make sure you do not forget about the sensitivity and the risks of the process involved with data destruction.

At Wayst we work with the top computer recycling service providers in London who prefer product options rather than the industry standard disposal route will either sell them at low cost to people who would not otherwise have access to their own IT equipment, or partner with charities and organisations in need, like underfunded schools to put these devices back into the economy as a product. Where computers cannot be recycled our computer disposal partners transport them to treatment facilities where materials can be recovered, in line with the Wayst standard for commitment to the environment and sustainable waste management.
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WEEE regulations

The regulations surrounding the safe and environmentally sustainable disposal of WEEE are improving as we learn more about this waste stream and the harm it can do to the environment if it is not recycled properly. As the laws change to limit or ban the amount of computer waste that is exported from towns and cities like London, we will inevitably require more local computer recycling facilities to process the electronic waste that accumulated in our society.

Overseas, laws must also change to combat the harmful effects that computers and electronic equipment has on rural communities in some of the world’s poorest countries. It is widely reported that many young children either mine for raw materials to make electronics, or are tasked with extracting metal components from used computer chipsets in what should absolutely be considered as an illegal labour market. The fact that this computer disposal| practice continues despite our ever increasing knowledge of the consequences of generating large amounts of electronic waste exposes systemic, deep rooted problems that could take years to resolve.

At Wayst we have a commitment to positive change for people in all parts of the world, and a passion for improving waste management operations concerning computer recycling and other waste electricals. We seek to build access to state of the art electronic waste processing facilities around London through our expert waste management partners, and be part of the solution by preventing the unnecessary export of used computers through our commitment to reuse and recycling at every stage of the waste journey.
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What you need to know about London

London

An ancient settlement that grew up along the banks of the Thames, London is one of the most well established and influential cities in the western world. It has reinvented itself many times throughout history to become the vibrant dynamic and complex entity that it is today with an infrastructure that is constantly developing to accommodate the progress and advancements of modern day Britain. It is well known for being one of the most integrated and culturally diverse cities in Europe, and accommodates many ways of living that make it stand out as a place that not only celebrates diversity but thrives on it. The pull of London for so many people from around the world and its increasing population demand a waste management industry that is highly organised, adaptable, and available for public use. Waste transfer companies have a large share of a market that is constantly in need of rubbish removal services, and the amount of businesses operating within this industry drives competition and a range of services that can overwhelm consumers and organisations when choosing a contractor for their rubbish disposal needs. One of the most important considerations when choosing a rubbish removal service is their commitment to the environment, re-use and recycling practices, and a diversion of waste from landfill. This can be achieved by companies who operate within statutory frameworks, practise due diligence, and adhere to the rules and regulations set out by the Environment Agency.

  • Population Size 9,304,016
  • Active Businesses 1,240,767
  • Waste Collected (tonnes)3,901,600
  • Tonnes of Waste Recycled or Reused 1,248,512

What are the different ways to dispose of waste in London?

There are hundreds of waste facilities around the city, from council run tips and recycling centres, to materials and energy recovery facilities, which are gradually replacing landfill sites. Nearly every Local Authority provides reuse and recycling centres for residents, handling a wide range of reusable items, recyclable rubbish, and general or residual municipal waste.

The local authority run facilities provide the same basic services from borough to borough in addition to offering specialised collections for garden waste, furniture and white goods and clinical waste disposal. Some types of waste, like building materials, are often classed as restricted due to their commercial use, as traders and construction companies have to pay to use the tips, and residents are only permitted to dump small amounts for it to be considered domestic waste. Hazardous waste is also seldom accepted at local civic amenity sites, and most homes and businesses are advised to contact the city of London hazardous waste disposal team, for the disposal of asbestos, oil based paint and other chemicals.

Many councils also provide competitively priced services for the collection, transfer and disposal of commercial refuse, although companies requiring industrial waste management solutions will often turn to the same private companies who are currently contracted by the council to deal with large scale waste. Private waste management organisations work closely with local authorities in London to transfer recyclable waste and sell it onto treatment facilities both nationally and internationally.
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Where are the nearest recycling centres in London

The Reuse and recycling centres and micro recycling sites available for public use throughout the city all vary slightly in terms of materials they can accept. Paper card glass tin aluminium and plastic bottles are generally accepted everywhere. Some difficult to dispose of items include paint, tyres, and plasterboard which often have to be transported to specialist facilities to be reused or recycled. Building materials like rubble soil timber garden fences and bathroom fixtures and fittings are also not typically accepted at all civic amenity sites and may require independent waste collectors to ensure swift and convenient removal of items.

Some materials frequently accepted at local authority facilities that cannot otherwise be disposed of for free include fluorescent tubes (energy saving light bulbs) car batteries, cooking and engine oil, and gas bottles. Most boroughs provide micro recycling sites for household batteries, textiles and small electrical items, however residents are encouraged to donate reusable items where possible at charity shops or at the tip, which often has links to resellers and refurbishment programmes such as Recycle my Cycle. Donated items, might include furniture, sports equipment, toys, and bric a brac. For all other waste like large electrical items, white goods, garden waste and soft furnishings like sofas, mattresses and carpets, these may still be recycled however the council often collects them from domestic properties for a fee if residents cannot transport them to the tip.
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What rubbish collection services are available in London?

Standard collection services for general refuse and recycling have significantly improved over the years to accept more varieties of plastic such as tubs, pots, trays and cutlery in dry mixed recycling bins. This has been a progressive step in tackling the problem of single use plastic that ends up in landfills or contaminating the natural environment, and recovering the raw materials ready for reprocessing and remanufacture into recycled consumer goods. The other main area of improvement has been the introduction of kitchen caddies and bins for food waste throughout London, which can contribute to a huge amount of harmful gases in the environment if it gets sent to landfill. The local authority provision of free food waste caddies along with compostable liners and regular weekly collections has meant that it gets segregated service level, and can be transported directly to an energy recovery facility to be turned into biogas, biofertilizer and fuel, which in some areas has already resulted in a 100% diversion from landfill for all food waste.

Other organic waste services include garden waste collection which is offered across most London boroughs for a yearly subscription fee. For those households that do not produce enough garden waste for regular collections some councils offer one off collections, however most boroughs have a home composting guide on their website which they encourage residents to make use of, and to reuse their garden waste to enrich the soil.

Most borough councils in London offer bulky waste collection of furniture, white goods and large electrical items at competitive prices or for free for elderly residents and those in receipt of benefit, limited to a certain amount of collections per year. Some councils direct locals towards charity operated solutions from their websites that remove bulk waste for free, however the vast majority of boroughs are limited to offering their own collection services or inviting residents to transport large waste items to the tip, which is seldom practical in most cases. Instead many households opt for using the wide range of competitively priced independent waste carriers in London that offer the same services. However the choice can be overwhelming, and some unlicensed waste carriers slip through the net and fly tip rubbish on private or even public land that then needs to be dealt with by another waste management company or by the local authorities. The Environment Agency provides a public directory of licensed waste carriers, brokers and dealers which members of the public can use to check that their chosen waste provider is compliant with the statutory requirements for waste management at every stage of the disposal process.

Need help with a waste clearance in London? Get in touch
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How are the local authorities in London handling your waste?

Over the years many local authorities have risen to the challenge for the planning and delivery of environmentally sustainable waste management for the millions of people living within the 32 London boroughs. Even as the population continues to expand, increased pressure is placed on public services to produce cleaner waste management solutions through investment, technological innovations and the building of infrastructure to derive energy from waste and ultimately provide channels for decentralised energy provision throughout the greater London area.

Borough councils are combining their financial resources to build state-of-the-art waste management facilities for sorting and transferring waste, materials and energy recovery, reselling and in some cases exporting raw materials back to the manufacturers for reprocessing. As a response to the demand for more effective waste management solutions in the city and proposals in the The London Plan handed down at the local government level, the following authorities have been set up between borough councils to strategize and action events around public waste management.

ELWA (East London Waste Authority) which has been set up between Redbridge, Havering, Barking & Dagenham and Newham.

NLWA (North London Waste Authority) which has been set up between Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Waltham Forest, Camden, Hackney and Islington.

WLWA (West London Waste Authority) which has been set up between Hillingdon, Brent, Harrow, Ealing, Hounslow and Richmond-upon-Thames.

WRWA (Western Riverside Waste Authority) which has been set up between Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Wandsworth and Lambeth.

SLWP (South London Waste Partnership) which has been set up between Merton, Kingston upon Thames, Croydon and Sutton.

Several Large scale private waste contractors also work in partnership with borough councils to manage waste and deliver on their objectives for landfill diversion and the increased production of energy from waste. The building of new facilities funded by regional London waste authorities has already started to deliver on the long term sustainable waste strategies proposed by the London Plan and lead to the reclamation of natural landscapes. providing renewed conservation areas that used to be contaminated by man made waste or used for landfill.

At the service level, organic waste removal services such as home composting caddies and garden waste collection are now standard practice for many London Boroughs seeking to avoid the use of landfill sites. Residents are given brown or grey bins specifically for food waste including meat, fish, and poultry waste, which is collected periodically alongside general rubbish. The organic waste is taken to facilities where it will undergo treatment such as pyrolysis or gasification which are both methods used to heat organic waste at controlled temperatures in order to produce by-products such as oil, char and gas that may be used as fuel. These controlled heating methods are relatively new, although they are in the commercial stages of development, and composting remains the most widely used method for recycling organic waste materials collected by Local Authorities in London and the surrounding areas.
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What are the plans for a greener future in London?

In addition to London boroughs pooling resources and investing in waste management solutions for the future, each council runs public awareness initiatives promoting healthy habits around sustainable ways of living in response to climate change, and encouraging engagement with the ‘circular economy’ in collaboration with community organisations charities and businesses. This model of consumption encourages individuals to conserve energy fuel and resources by making small incremental changes to their habits and lifestyle from walking or cycling instead of travelling by car, to buying and using only what they need. This feeds into the circular model of reselling or donating unwanted material goods back into the local economy for refurbishment and reuse, as opposed to the ‘linear economy’ which ends with the disposal of consumer goods and wasted materials.

In recent years London has made many efforts to become an environmentally friendly city and has adopted a practice known as ‘urban greening’ which aims to bring purpose built green spaces into the infrastructure of the city, helping to lower temperatures, prevent flooding and improve air quality. With the population in London set to increase by an estimated 3 million by 2050, and with permanent changes in the weather due to climate, urban greening is mandated to become a key part of building in the city as it expands. This consists of planning permission for green walls and roofs as standard practice for any major developments.

The urban greening factor is included in the New London Plan which is the spatial development strategy for Greater London led by the Mayor of London and the Greater London authority. Other aspects of urban greening are set to include the ‘healthy streets’ initiative, which will not only change the physical environment of London’s streets and pedestrianised areas, but intends to shift public behaviour towards greener methods of travel such as walking and cycling, and increased use of public transport for long journeys. The ‘grey to green’ project as part of the sustainable drainage action plan also encourages communities to advocate for an increase in accessible green spaces by communicating with the local council about where such improvements could be made.
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Computer Recycling Services In Areas Of London