ILM Highland, a social enterprise and charity operating in the Scottish Highlands, has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to promote responsible electrical recycling across remote communities. Partnering with Material Focus, a not-for-profit organisation leading the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, ILM Highland has introduced seven Small Electrical Recycling banks equipped with mobile phone chutes in isolated rural locations. This campaign aims to engage 110,743 households in the local community, encouraging them to recycle their electricals and reduce e-waste.
Funded by Material Focus with an investment of £44,000, ILM Highland’s project is set to make a significant impact. The introduction of these recycling banks in remote areas is crucial, as they provide accessible and responsible electrical recycling options, reducing the environmental impact of e-waste in these communities. The initiative is part of a larger nationwide Electricals Recycling Fund, which focuses on enhancing electrical recycling methods, including kerbside collections and additional drop-off points in schools, community centres, and bring banks. In total, there will be over 400 new collection points and kerbside collections benefiting 5.5 million UK residents.
Research conducted by Recycle Your Electricals has shown that 80% of consumers understand the importance of recycling, yet 39% of people dispose of electricals in bins due to perceived difficulties in the recycling process. With millions of electrical items hoarded in UK homes, initiatives like ILM Highland’s aim to overcome these challenges by simplifying the recycling process and encouraging responsible disposal of electricals.
Claire Weaver, Business Development Manager at ILM Highland, expressed her enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, “The funding from Material Focus will be of tremendous benefit to ILM, especially as the Highlands is such a vast and geographically challenging area. The growth of this service will be significant, making it easier for our local residents to responsibly dispose of electrical waste.”
Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, emphasised the importance of their support, stating, “We are thrilled to support the ILM Small Electrical Recycling banks campaign that addresses the pressing issue of e-waste. By investing in improved collection and drop-off services and exploring new recycling methods, we are taking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for 10 million more people to recycle their electricals.”
The initiative not only contributes to reducing e-waste but also promotes environmental consciousness and community engagement. ILM Highland’s endeavour stands as a testament to the positive impact achievable through collaborative efforts, creating a more sustainable future for both the local communities and the environment.
To learn more about ILM Highland, visit www.ilmhighland.co.uk or follow ILM Highland on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
