Can you put electrical items in a skip?

The short answer

Electrical items and batteries should not be put into a normal mixed-waste skip. They have to be recycled separately as electrical waste.

Why the type of waste matters

This includes televisions, computers, fridges, power tools, loose lithium batteries and disposable vapes. Batteries can start fires in waste vehicles and treatment facilities.

What to do before loading

Keep electricals and batteries separate and take them to the tip's electrical recycling area. Do not place batteries inside another waste item to hide them.

If you are clearing a property, list every electrical item when requesting house clearance so the team can explain what it can collect.

What to do with old electricals instead

Electrical items, from kettles and toasters to fridges and TVs, are covered by the WEEE rules and should not go in a mixed skip. They contain metals and components that need to be recovered, and some, like fridges and freezers, contain gases that must be handled carefully.

Many shops that sell new electricals will take an old one back when you buy a replacement, and West Sussex household waste recycling sites accept most electrical items from residents. For a working appliance, a charity or reuse group may be glad to have it.

If you are clearing a whole property and there are several appliances mixed in with other waste, tell us when you book. We can tell you which items we can take separately and how they will be priced, so nothing ends up in the wrong place.

Questions about this waste type

Can a fridge go in a skip?

No. Fridges and freezers contain gases that must be removed safely, so they are collected separately. Tell us and we will price it.

Where can I take small electricals in West Sussex?

Household waste recycling sites accept most small electricals from residents, and many shops take back old items when you buy new.