Cable or lead

Also called: cable, USB cable, lead, wire, HDMI cable, extension lead

Drop-off point

National rules. Choose your council to see its answer.

Your council's answer

The answer can differ by council. Choose your council to see its rules for this item.

How to prepare it

  1. Cables tangle recycling machines: never put them in your recycling bin
  2. Take to an electricals point or the tip

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National rules

The answer isn't the same in every UK nation. Choose your council to see the one that applies to you.

England

Drop-off point

Not in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point.

Never bin electricals: shops that sell them take small items back, and every tip accepts them.

Also: Recycling centre

England-wide guidance, checked 26 Sep 2026. View the source

Scotland

Drop-off point

Not in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point.

Never bin electricals: shops that sell them take small items back, and recycling centres accept them.

Also: Recycling centre

Scotland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

Wales

Drop-off point

Not in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point.

Never bin electricals: some Welsh councils collect small ones next to your recycling box, and shops and tips take them too.

Also: Recycle at home, Recycling centre

Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

Northern Ireland

Drop-off point

Not in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point.

Never bin electricals: shops that sell them take small items back, and council recycling centres accept them.

Also: Recycling centre

Northern Ireland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

How to recycle it

National schemes anyone in the UK can use.

National scheme

Shop take-back of small electricals

Free · Return in store

Big electrical shops must take small electricals under 25cm free even if you buy nothing, and any shop selling electricals must take back your old item when you buy a similar new one.

  1. Shops with an electrical sales area over 400 square metres must take items under 25cm on the longest side free, even if you buy nothing
  2. Any other shop selling that type of electrical item must take back an old one of the same type or function when you buy a new one; you have at least 28 days to return it
  3. Remove loose batteries and tape the ends before handing the item in

Source: gov.uk, checked 10 Oct 2026.

Recycle This isn't run by or endorsed by any council or the government. Councils change their services, so check anything important with your council.