Electronic and Electrical Devices

4Rs

Our used electrical and electronic items cause pollution

In the UK, we are buying more electrical and electronic equipment and these products are lasting less time than they used to, becoming harder to repair and not being re-used when they could be.

Changing our habits can save precious resources

The UK creates the second highest amount of electronic waste in the world and a vast amount goes to landfill, incineration or is dumped overseas. Recycling systems shred and incinerate it, wasting the rare and precious resources they contain.

House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Report on Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy highlights the key challenges in this area and the recommendations which need to be taken to reduce down electronic waste and ensure precious resources are not being lost.

Recommendations from the report includes “The Government must enshrine the right to repair in law, enforcing access to (1) repair manuals; (2) access to affordable spare parts for products; and (3) ability to repair products without repairers needing access to physical or software tools specifically designed to be a barrier to independent servicing or repair.”

What can I do… to reduce electrical and electronic waste

Meet the NIRN members who are active in repair of electronic & electrical goods and find out how you can help reduce electronic and electrical waste.

Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy

House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Report

4Rs

4Rs in collaboration with Derry & Strabane District Council initiated an innovative up-cycling scheme where laptop and tablet devices are being used to meet a local shortage of devices to facilitate home schooling. This has the benefit of ensuring vital electronic resources are kept in circulation, repaired and refurbished and then redistributed to meet needs of young people struggling to access laptops for home schooling.

4Rs

Repair Cafe Belfast

The Repair Cafe Belfast supports reduction of electronic waste with their team of friendly volunteers undertaking repair of small electrical items.

Repair Cafe Belfast

Belfast Tool Library

Belfast Tool Library has a range of electric tools including drills, sanders, and gardening tool available to borrow which saves unnecessary purchase of new items. It brings together members of the community to participate in skills sharing and knowledge at workshops they hold.

Belfast Tool Library

Tools for Solidarity

Tools for Solidarity refurbish donated sewing and knitting machines and send them to artisans in sub Saharan Africa, keeping them out of landfill and helping to provide income and jobs in vulnerable communities.
Tools for Solidarity

I reuse, what about you?

Discover more about the environmental benefits of buying secondhand of repairing your electronic and electrical items by using the “I reuse, what about you?” online calculator.