Kerbside collections of small electrical appliances and household batteries are every two weeks. Items should be left out with your scheduled rubbish ('black lidded' wheelie bin/blue sack) collection, please read below for details
Currently this service is not available if your bins are located in a communal bin store. You can find alternative electrical recycling options here.
Collection space on our vehicles is very limited. If your collection is missed please store your items and place them out with your next scheduled rubbish collection.

Everything with a plug, battery or cable has the potential to be recycled.

Service Information Leaflets

Our handy service leaflet summarises the kerbside collection process. There are two versions available to download:

There is also a useful visual checklist guide showing the types of items that we can accept for collection. Please note this is not a complete list.

How does the kerbside collection work?

Most unwanted or broken small electrical appliances, those items powered by batteries or with a plug, cable or lead can be recycled at the kerbside. Small electrical appliance recycling is collected every two weeks with your normal scheduled rubbish (black bin) collection.  

Little and Often - Please recycle “little and often” as space is limited on our collection vehicles for the storage of electrical items

Bag It - Simply place the item(s) into a standard carrier size type plastic bag (no larger than 35 x 40cm and not in black bin bags)

Tie It – Securely tie the bag so the items do not fall out

Recycle It - Place next to your black lidded rubbish bin on your scheduled collection day

Preparing your items for recycling

As easy as ABC

Ask?

Does your old electrical contain any of the following:

  • Batteries? remove household batteries and place in a separate bag for collection with your small electricals
  • Bulbs? remove and visit recycleyourelectricals.org.uk for your nearest recycling location
  • Cables, plugs and leads? Ensure cables, plugs or leads are left attached to the appliance
  • Packaging, accessories or attachments? Please don’t include any obvious attachments or accessories, just the electrical item itself, free of any packaging.
  • Gas canisters? remove and dispose of safely at your local Recycling Centre
  • Oils, perfumes or other liquids? remove and dispose of safely at your local Recycling Centre
  • Personal data? – It is your responsibility to remove personal data from smart devices/computers. Visit recycleyourelectricals.org.uk for further advice

Bag it

  • Find a standard carrier sized type plastic bag (35x40cm) that you can use to store all your old small electricals until collection day

Check

  • Is your item listed on our kerbside collections checklist? If so, we will collect it from your home
  • For any items not on our kerbside collections checklist visit, please visit recycleyourelectricals.org.uk to find your nearest reuse or recycling point

What type of small electrical appliances can be collected at the kerbside?

If the item you are looking to recycle is not listed, you can find details of alternative electrical recycling options here or email wastematters@midsussex.gov.uk with your query

What can’t be collected at the kerbside?

We are unable to collect electrical items larger than 35cm x 40cm as they won’t fit into the storage cages on our collection vehicles. We are also unable to accept the following specific items:

  • Non-household batteries

The following batteries are not accepted:

    • Those left inside an electrical appliance. These should be removed and placed out for collection in a separate bag next to your rubbish bin. (Check the list of acceptable batteries above)
    • Batteries with trailing wires
    • Children’s ride on toy batteries
    • Corroded batteries
    • Motorbike batteries
    • Industrial batteries
    • Sealed lead acid / gel batteries
    • 12V leisure batteries
  • Fluorescent tubes and energy saving light bulbs
  • Gas cylinders from hair styling equipment
  • Glass or ceramic electrical items (e.g. slow cookers or glass kettles)
  • Printers, ink cartridges and toners
  • Microwave ovens
  • Oils, perfumes or other liquids from an electrical device (e.g. diffusers)
  • TVs and computer monitors
  • Laptops, notebooks, tablets and E-readers
  • Packaging, attachments and accessories

Alternative Electrical Recycling, Repair and Re-use Options

Repair and Re-Use

It is always preferable to try and repair something rather than recycling it. There are several Repair Café's within our district where you can take items for free to try and get them repaired. Visit our Community Recycling website page for details midsussex.gov.uk/community-recycling   

Bulky Waste Collection Service

We are unable to collect items larger than 35cm x 40cm as they won’t fit into the storage cages on our collection vehicles. For any larger items you wish to be collected please visit our Bulky Waste Collection page.

Recycling Centre

Electrical items can also be recycled at your local Recycling Centre

Recycling Locator Tool

Everything with a plug, cable or battery has the potential to be recycled. If you would like to explore other, alternative re-use and recycling options please visit recycleyourelectricals.org.uk for all the latest information and advice and use the ‘recycling locator’ tool to find your nearest recycling point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Waste Management Team
Tel: 01444-477440
Email: wastematters@midsussex.gov.uk

Last updated: 31 July 2024