Not many people may be familiar with the term ‘white goods.’ Some may have heard the phrase in various settings, most likely while they’re shopping for household items.
White goods can mean a few things to different countries. For instance, in England, they may refer to white goods as large household appliances, which in the past came only in white-enameled hues. Meanwhile, in the US, they may define these as white sheets or linens, such as blankets, bedsheets, and curtains. On some occasions, it may also mean a colorless alcoholic drink, like gin and vodka.
For the sake of clarity, the term white goods in this article refer to the large household appliances we can’t live without – washing machines, air conditioners, freezers, and refrigerators.
Your family might have had a few of them and in different colors. Chances are, you’ve outgrown most of them, and after they’re broken, they just magically disappear from your house. Have you ever wondered how your parents may have disposed of these large appliances?
Read on as we run you through some tips in managing broken white goods in a more environmentally friendly manner:
How Are Damaged White Goods Disposed Of?
Before anything else, you may have noticed that white goods disposal is entirely different from regular waste removal. Whether you’re getting rid of your old or broken white goods out of frustration or necessity, you should be aware of the proper ways to handle them. Click here if you need help in solving your challenging rubbish situation.
Generally, goods that run on electricity are called e-waste when they’re being discarded. According to Statista.com, 54 million metric tons of e-waste were generated by the world’s consumers in 2019, and this figure is expected to rise continually. The same research company also indicated that only about 20% of these wastes are recycled, with most devices and appliances ending up in landfills.
To prevent these goods from causing harm to the environment, consider the following white goods disposal tips:
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Send Your White Goods To The Recyclers
Repurposing your white goods is one of the best ways to prevent your appliances from ending up in landfills. Consider this option if your item is already unusable.
Otherwise, send your item to the metal recyclers who can dismantle your appliance, take out up to 70% of the materials, and prepare it for recycling. Drive to the nearest recycling area to start reducing e-waste. Otherwise, have a skip bin company haul your defective and bulky appliance and let them handle and properly dispose of it.
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Sell It
If your white good doesn’t need repairs and is in good running condition, consider posting it on online e-commerce sites or sell it to your neighbors and friends. Whether you bought a new appliance out of impulse, or you need a bigger one, this is one good way to dispose of your working refrigerator, washing machine, or oven, without hassle.
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Look For Second-Hand Dealers
If your item is still functional or may work again once a few minor repairs are done, sell it to second–hand dealers for a low price. These second-hand sellers will pay you a certain amount of cash for your white good – then repair or refurbish the item to make it look better, and sell it to interested buyers.
Ask around to discover if there are establishments of such kind in your locality. You can either directly send the item to their place or have it picked up by them.
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Donate Your White Goods
If you don’t feel too resourceful and want to help those who may need your item more, hand it over to a charity or nonprofit organization. For instance, if you want to replace your old refrigerator with a bigger and more energy-efficient model, send your old unit over to an organization. The group may keep it for their use, or send it to a chosen family who can’t afford to buy one.
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Discuss With Your Retailer
In an effort to become ‘greener,’ some appliance manufacturing companies offer schemes that allow an existing white good owner to pay less if they return their old model and replace it with a new one. In this case, it will be completely up to the manufacturer, who, by the way, is better equipped to recycle white goods and repurpose them.
Takeaway
The demand for white goods is increasing, especially with the increasing global population. Consumers, however, should always look for ways to reduce waste, and start by making the right choices in purchasing appliances. Additionally, as a responsible white goods owner, one should explore all possible means to recycle or repurpose these items in ways that are safer for humans and the environment.
