Don't bin it: where to donate, repair or recycle old electricals in Richmond

Old laptops, spare tablets, a toaster that works perfectly well but has been replaced — most households have a drawer or cupboard full of electricals waiting for a second life. Richmond Council is encouraging residents to think before they bin, pointing to a range of local options for donation, repair and responsible recycling.

If an item is still working or only needs a small fix, donation is the first port of call. Several local charities accept electrical goods and can either pass them on directly or raise funds from resale. For items that need a little work, The Fixery is open Friday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm, and accepts items brought in for repair.

For those who prefer a more sociable setting, the monthly Twickenham Repair Café and Kew the Transition repair and share events both offer community-based repair sessions where volunteers help get items working again.

When an item genuinely cannot be saved, the council asks residents to recycle electricals properly rather than putting them in general waste — electrical goods contain materials that can be harmful in landfill and valuable components that can be recovered.

Full details on donation drop-off points, charity collection bookings and recycling locations are available on the council's page. Find out more about your options on the Richmond Council website.