Argos recycle policy

Vectis

I'm not sure on legislation etc, but from what the op quoted from Argos' recycling policy, it refers to 'old electronic items'.

I had to actually look it up to be certain, but an electronic item is defined as 'having or operating with components such as microchips and transistors that control and direct electric currents'.

Is an old kettle an electronic item? Electrical, yes, but probably not what most people, Argos staff included, would deem electronic?

But, but couldn't it simply go in the recycling bin if a trip to the tip was not feasible? Isn't that the whole idea of a recycling bin, that the stuff you put in it gets recycled?

user1977

Vectis said:

But, but couldn't it simply go in the recycling bin if a trip to the tip was not feasible? Isn't that the whole idea of a recycling bin, that the stuff you put in it gets recycled?

Which council area do you live in? I've never heard of anywhere where you can chuck whatever you like in your recycling bin, simply because it's something which could potentially be recycled.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

user1977 said:

Vectis said:

But, but couldn't it simply go in the recycling bin if a trip to the tip was not feasible? Isn't that the whole idea of a recycling bin, that the stuff you put in it gets recycled?

Which council area do you live in? I've never heard of anywhere where you can chuck whatever you like in your recycling bin, simlpy because it's something which could potentially be recycled.

Some councils collect small electrical items as part of the usual recycling rounds, don't know how it works as ours doesn't sadly.  

Be_Happy

Just a follow up on this.

Using the link given above I contacted the OPSS (Office for Product Safety and Standards) who regulate the WEEE scheme.  I note below their reply.

"We have investigated this matter and Argos have apologised for the misunderstanding. 

It is their policy in accordance to WEEE & battery takeback regulations to takeback old electrical products on a like-for-like basis.  

The staff have undergone training on this and assured there will be no further issues for takeback."

BoGoF

Be_Happy said:

The staff have undergone training on this and assured there will be no further issues for takeback."

Stock response for 'we really don't care'

BethRobinson

All this for a kettle?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

BoGoF said:

Be_Happy said:

The staff have undergone training on this and assured there will be no further issues for takeback."

Stock response for 'we really don't care'

That's why it's worth taking the time to report these kinds of issues that most think is just minor.

If half a dozen people made the same complaint about a company action may be taken.

Argos is owned by Sainsburys who turnover something in the region of £30 billion a year, why shouldn't they have some corporate social responsibility to prevent waste polluting our planet and help to ensure precious metals are turned back in to new products to reduce the requirement, and environmental devastation that comes with it, of mining new raw materials?

Okell

BethRobinson said:

All this for a kettle?

Why not?

The OP is a good citizen and wants to dispose of the old kettle responsibly.  They don't have transport to the nearest council recycling facility but Argos is easy for them to get to.  Argos claim to have a recycling policy that covers the situation, but local staff claim (wrongly) that it doesn't and turn the OP away.  OP wants to know if they've misunderstood the policy or whether Argos staff are wrong.

I don't see what's wrong with helping the OP.

(If you are going to say "All this for a kettle?" as if it's an insignificant issue, that comment could apply to most ot the threads on this board.  It was significant enough for the OP to ask the question)

BethRobinson

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

BoGoF said:

Be_Happy said:

The staff have undergone training on this and assured there will be no further issues for takeback."

Stock response for 'we really don't care'

That's why it's worth taking the time to report these kinds of issues that most think is just minor.

If half a dozen people made the same complaint about a company action may be taken.

Argos is owned by Sainsburys who turnover something in the region of £30 billion a year, why shouldn't they have some corporate social responsibility to prevent waste polluting our planet and help to ensure precious metals are turned back in to new products to reduce the requirement, and environmental devastation that comes with it, of mining new raw materials?

What precious metals are in a kettle?

Okell

Vectis said:

I'm not sure on legislation etc, but from what the op quoted from Argos' recycling policy, it refers to 'old electronic items'.

I had to actually look it up to be certain, but an electronic item is defined as 'having or operating with components such as microchips and transistors that control and direct electric currents'.

Is an old kettle an electronic item? Electrical, yes, but probably not what most people, Argos staff included, would deem electronic?...

But if you read the OP's quote from Argos' policy properly you'll see it also includes "Electrical equipment that has a crossed-out wheelie bin symbol can be recycled".

I suspect that will include the OP's kettle.  (It certainly includes ours...)

Vectis said:

... But, but couldn't it simply go in the recycling bin if a trip to the tip was not feasible? Isn't that the whole idea of a recycling bin, that the stuff you put in it gets recycled?

If I were you I'd check my local council's recycling policy.  I doubt very much if they would allow you to put electrical items in the recycling bin.  That most certainly isn't the whole idea of a recycling bin and that's why electrical items are marked with a crossed-out wheelie bin.

As others have said, some councils might collect small electrical items alongside - but separately - from recycling.  But it isn't the norm for councils to do so and you just can't treat electrical waste like paper, cardboard, glass, plastics etc.  

That's why disposal of it is separately regulated