Recycling Electrical Fires

From 1 July 2007, new Government regulations: The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations came into force aimed at encouraging people to arrange collection of their old electrical products for recycling rather than just throwing them away. If you are buying a new electricl fire from ourselves you may find you have an old electrical fire that needs recycling. This document explains how we can help you if this is the case.

Why should we recycle waste electrical goods?

Recycling unwanted electrical products is undoubtedly better for the environment. The amount of electrical waste arising from discarded electrial products is increasing by about 5% each year. Currently more than 75% of our electrical waste ends up in landfill sites where lead, zinc, PCB's and other toxins contained in our discarded electrical items can cause soil and water contamination. This can have a seriously harmful effect on the natural environment, wildlife and potentially human health. When landfill sites are near to heavily populated areas, the potential for harm to whole communities cannot be ignored, as water and soil become polluted.

Many of the electrical items we discard can be repaired or recycled. Recycling items helps us to save natural resources and also reduces the environmental and health risks associated with placing electrical goods in landfill.

How can I recycle my old electrical fire?

As a company we are now offering a free "take back" scheme to make it easier for you to be able to recycle your old electric fire. You also need not have purchased your original fire from us.

As an added service to our customers, on delivery of your new fire our Home Delivery team will also collect your old fire or heater. All that we ask is that you disconnect the fire or heater before our team arrives. This service, however, will only be available when your purchase is home delivered by our own delivery team, not delivered as a Next Day product by any courier service. We will also not be able to take away your old fire "surround" unless the heater or fire requiring disposal is a fuuly integral part of that product and is not detachable.

How will I know whether the new products I buy can be recycled?

You might have noticed some new products you have purchased have a "crossed out wheelie bin" logo on the product itself and on the packaging. This logo helps you identify those products that are recyclable. This is the logo if you haven't noticed it yet:

What do I need to do to ensure my old fire or heater is ready for you to take away?

Your old appliance must be disconnected prior to our delivery team's arrival. If the product has been connected to a fused spur, then the item must have been safely disconnected by an electrically competent person.

What will happen to my old fire or heater after collection?

The products will be sent to a local recycling facility where around 85% of the materials will be recycled. Many electrical products contain a small proportion of non-recyclable materials. Whatever the product, every effort is made to recycle as much of its content as possible and we aim to increase our recycling rate year on year. We will also work with local organisations in order to reduce the distance our old electrical products have to travel.

How long does it take from us collecting the old fire from your home to it being back on a shelf as something new?

Once we receive it back into our warehouse, your old product can begin its recycling journey normally within 24-48 hours. Having arrived at the recycling facility it can take a further 24 hours before every possible component has been broken down into recyclable parts. After that there are many factors that determine how long it will be before being made into new products - perhaps as long as 3 months. Supply and demand being the main determinant.

What else as a company are we doing to make a positive impact on our environment?

We

• recycle all our packing waste to prevent this going to landfill
• have installed water saving devises into our staff facilities thereby saving a litre of water at each flush
• have conducted environmental audits across all our premises and have put in place action plans to address any issues identified
• have carried out a carbon footprint assessment and as a result introduced efficiencies in our operations to reduce our carbon impact

So how will our recycling scheme work?

When you make your purchase (if this is with one of our telesales team) you will be asked to confirm whether you have a product that you would like us to collect on a like for like basis. Don't worry if you buy your product on one of our websites, you will be asked the question by the Customer Services Team who will be in touch with you to arrange delivery. As previously stated, this facility is only available for products delivered by our own Home Delivery Teams and does not apply to the surround unless the heater or fire is integral to the product.

Alternatively you can take your product to your local council waste site - this will probably be your local "tip" that has now been upgraded to provide this recycling facility. If you are unsure of the location for your local DCF visit: www.recycle-more.co.uk and enter your postcode, you will then be directed to your nearest facility.