How To Dispose Of Your Air Fryer Responsibly

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in recent years, with around 40% of UK households owning one. However, with any popular product, there comes a time when people want to upgrade or get rid of their old appliance. So, what is the best way to dispose of an air fryer? While some sources suggest that air fryers can be thrown away in the regular trash, others recommend recycling or donating them to charities or social enterprises. In some places, it is illegal to dispose of electronic devices with hazardous waste in the garbage, and specific disposal procedures must be followed.

Can you throw away an air fryer?

Air fryers are considered hazardous waste and should not be put in the bin

Air fryers, like all electronic appliances, contain hazardous materials that can pose a serious threat to the environment if not disposed of properly. These appliances contain harmful pollutants such as arsenic, lead, or cadmium, which do not break down easily and can cause long-term damage to the environment. Therefore, it is crucial that air fryers are not thrown away in the bin but instead recycled or disposed of responsibly.

When it comes to disposing of an old air fryer, there are several options available. Firstly, check if your local council collects electrical appliances for recycling. Some councils provide this service as part of the regular waste collection, while others may require a special arrangement. You can contact your council or check their website for more information. Alternatively, you can take your old air fryer to a local recycling centre, which will have designated drop-off points for electrical appliances. Some supermarkets, car parks, and designated roadside areas also have electrical recycling drop-off points, but it is important to check if they accept larger items like air fryers.

If you are buying a new air fryer, many retailers will take back your old one for recycling or refurbishment. This is often the case even if you are not purchasing a new appliance from them. Additionally, some charities and community organizations may accept working appliances as donations, so consider reaching out to organizations like the Salvation Army or Goodwill to see if they can make use of your old air fryer.

Before disposing of your air fryer, remember to unplug it and cut the electrical cord to ensure it cannot be accidentally plugged in and used again. If your air fryer is still in working condition, you may also consider selling it online or passing it on to someone who can use it.

By properly recycling or disposing of your old air fryer, you are not only ensuring the safe handling of hazardous materials but also contributing to the conservation of the planet's valuable resources.

You can recycle your air fryer at an electrical recycling collection point

If you're looking to throw away your air fryer, it's important to know that you can't just toss it into the bin. As an electrical item, it needs to be disposed of responsibly at a designated recycling collection point.

Firstly, check if your air fryer can be repaired, donated, or sold. If it's still in working condition, you could pass it on to someone you know or sell it online. Many charities and reuse organisations will also gladly take working electrical appliances off your hands.

If your air fryer is broken beyond repair, look for your nearest electrical recycling collection or drop-off point. You can easily find these by searching online or checking with your local council. Many councils provide collection services for electrical items, either with your regular waste collection or by special arrangement. Some councils also have specific drop-off points at household waste and recycling centres, supermarkets, car parks, or designated roadside areas.

When taking your air fryer to a recycling centre, make sure to put it in a box or bag, along with any other old electrical items you want to dispose of. This will make it easier to transport and ensure that all the parts stay together.

It's worth noting that some retailers will also take back old electricals for recycling or refurbishment when you buy a new product from them. So, if you're upgrading to a new air fryer, ask the retailer about their recycling policies.

By recycling your air fryer at an electrical recycling collection point, you're not only doing your part in reducing electronic waste but also helping to protect the environment. These collection points ensure that electrical items are properly dismantled, sorted into various materials, and reused in new products, preventing pollution and preserving valuable resources.

Retailers will take back old electricals for recycling when you buy a new product

If you're looking to throw away your air fryer, it's important to know that you can't just put it in the bin. Air fryers, like any other electrical appliance, need to be disposed of properly to avoid causing harm to the environment and human health.

Since 1 January 2021, retailers across the UK have been required to take back old electricals for recycling when you buy a new product. This is known as the Retailer Take-back scheme, and it applies to all large electrical and electronic sellers with significant retail space. This means that if you're buying a new air fryer, the retailer must take back your old one for recycling. You have 28 days from the time of purchasing your new product to hand in your old one for recycling, and you'll need to show the receipt for the new item.

Even if you're not buying a new product, some retailers will still take back old electricals for recycling or refurbishment. For example, Currys, B&Q, Waitrose, and John Lewis will take back small electricals without the need to purchase a new item. Some local councils also collect electricals for recycling, either with your regular waste collection or by special arrangement.

In the United States, Best Buy offers a comprehensive appliance and electronics recycling program. They accept most electronics and large appliances, with a few exceptions, and work with electronics recyclers to ensure that products are repaired, repurposed, or recycled responsibly.

So, if you're looking to get rid of your old air fryer, remember to take it to a retailer or recycling centre near you instead of throwing it away.

You can sell, donate or give away your old air fryer

If your old air fryer is still in good working condition, you have several options besides throwing it away. You can sell, donate, or give it away to extend its lifespan and benefit your community or the environment.

First, you can sell your old air fryer through online platforms such as eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace. Clean your air fryer, take clear photos from multiple angles, and be honest about its condition and usage. Price it competitively by looking up what similar models are going for.

Second, you can donate your air fryer to a local charity, thrift store, or community kitchen. Many organisations accept small appliances in good condition and will either sell them to raise funds or give them to those in need. Ensure your air fryer is clean and include any accessories and the manual if possible. Contact the organisation beforehand to confirm they can accept your donation.

Third, if you're buying a new air fryer, the retailer must take your old one back. Many shops will recycle your old air fryer when you buy a new one from them. Some larger stores will recycle your old appliance even if you're not buying from them. Additionally, some councils collect electricals for recycling with your regular waste collection or by special arrangement. Check with your council or look up your nearest electrical recycling collection or drop-off point.

Finally, if your air fryer is no longer functioning, consider repurposing it. For example, you can turn it into a convection oven by removing the basket and using the bottom tray as a baking sheet. Or, use it to create healthier alternatives to deep-fried foods by coating your food in a light layer of oil or using a cooking spray.

Some charities accept electrical appliances that are in good working order

If your air fryer is in good working condition, you may be able to donate it to a charity shop. Some charities that accept electrical appliances include:

• The British Heart Foundation: This charity runs shops specifically branded as electrical stores and takes a wide range of electrical items for resale, including consoles, tablets, laptops, fridges, TVs, and washing machines. They also offer free collection services.
• Age UK: Their larger shops that accept furniture may also take electrical appliances.
• Cancer Research UK: Their shops across the country will take electricals, excluding white goods such as washing machines and fridges, and broken toys.
• ChildAid to Eastern Europe: This London-based charity accepts mobile phones, cameras, and gadgets such as sat-navs, MP3 players, and games consoles.
• DEBRA: This skin health charity operates furniture and electrical stores and offers free collection of large donated items within a 15-mile range.
• FARA: This London-based charity supporting families in Romania accepts electricals, excluding large non-flat-screen TVs, computer hard drives, white goods, and electric blankets.
• Little Lives: This children's charity, based in London, welcomes donations of unwanted TVs and computers, and they will collect even a single laptop.
• Marie Curie: They accept small electricals and will collect from within a 20-mile radius outside the London congestion zone.
• Mind: Their shops in Alvaston, Derbyshire, and Hinckley, Leicestershire, take donations of electrical and white goods. Some other Mind shops also accept electricals.
• Oxfam: Many Oxfam shops take electrical goods, especially toys, games, and mobile phones.
• Red Cross: They welcome new, boxed electrical items, cameras, and multimedia devices.
• Salvation Army: A growing number of their charity shops can test and accept electrical items for resale.
• Sue Ryder: They accept a range of electrical goods to redistribute or resell, excluding computers, mobile phones, electric showers, blankets, sunbeds, waste disposal units, and white goods.
• Sense: Some of their shops will collect electrical donations from you.

When donating electrical appliances, it is important to ensure they are clean and in good working order. Additionally, some charities may have specific requirements or restrictions, so it is always a good idea to contact the charity or your local branch before donating.

Frequently asked questions