The programme aims to either repair or recycle broken electrical items, reports Richard Cubitt

An Edmonton charity has announced the expansion of its tech repair and recycling scheme.

Northside Youth and Community Connexions (NYCC) has received £50,000 in funding from the not-for-profit company Material Focus and will use this funding to expand Tech Repair, an electrical recycling scheme at Edmonton Green Shopping Centre.

This includes installing up to eight electrical drop off points where residents can drop off their small electricals to be either repaired or recycled.

NYCC currently operates Tech Repair at 34 The Market Square and 39 St James Chambers, both within the shopping centre, where the group also runs weekly repair workshops with an experienced technician teaching young people how to repair their tech.

With the additional funding, NYCC now aim to collect, repair and redistribute over 1,500 devices within the next year.

Research by Material Focus has shown that 80% of consumers believe that tech recycling is a good thing but that 39% of people bin their electricals and that on average households have at least 30 electricals hidden away in draws.

Items eligible for the scheme range from tablets and mobile devices to kettles and hairdryers.

John Alkali, NYCC’s lead repair technician, said: “For years I’ve seen how a simple electrical repair can change someone’s day, and in some cases even their whole situation.

“This pilot gives us the chance to reach even more families in Enfield, helping them keep essential electricals in use while learning skills that build confidence and independence. I’m excited to work with residents of all ages to show that repairing and recycling isn’t just good for the environment, it strengthens our community too.”

The repair workshops take place on Thursdays and Fridays, 1pm-6pm, at 39 St James Chambers.

For information on how and where to recycle electricals:
Visit recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/hypnocat-electricals-campaign

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