Recycle your old electricals with us
Buying a new electrical item? We'll take your old one back free of charge, so it's recycled properly instead of ending up in landfill.
Last updated: 25 October 2026Why recycle?
Old electrical and electronic equipment is one of the UK's fastest growing types of waste.
Electricals can contain substances that harm the environment and human health if they end up in landfill. They also contain valuable materials, such as metals and plastics, that can be recovered and used again. Recycling them properly saves resources and reduces pollution.
The crossed-out wheelie bin symbol. If a product or its packaging shows a wheelie bin with a cross through it, it mustn't go in your household waste. Please recycle it instead.
Our free take-back service
When you buy a new electrical item from us, we'll take your old equivalent item back free of charge, on a like for like basis. For example, an old drill when you buy a new drill, or an old charger when you buy a new charger.
- Buy your new electrical itemFrom diytools.com, by phone, or through your trade account.
- Bring or send us your old one within 28 daysDrop it off free at our Hayes premises, Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm. Or post it to us at your own cost. Please include your order number so we can match it to your purchase.
- We recycle it properlyWe pass it to a licensed recycler so it's treated safely and the materials are recovered.
Our Hayes premises
The Tool & Gauge Company (UK) Limited
Unit 4 Alpha Trading Estate
Clayton Road
Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1BB
Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm. Closed weekends and UK bank holidays.
Your local recycling centre
Most council household waste and recycling centres accept old electricals free of charge. Find your nearest at recycleyourelectricals.org.uk.
Old batteries
Please don't put old batteries in your household waste. You can drop old portable batteries off at our Hayes premises free of charge, whether or not you're buying anything. Please bring them in person rather than posting them, as damaged batteries can be unsafe to send.
Most supermarkets and shops that sell batteries also have collection bins, and your local recycling centre will take them too.
Common questions
Does my old item have to be the same brand?
No. It just needs to be the same type of item and do the same job as the one you bought. For example, any old drill when you buy a new drill.
Does it need to work?
No. We'll take it whether it works or not.
What if I didn't buy a new item from you?
Our free take-back is for customers buying an equivalent new item from us. If you're not, your local council recycling centre will usually take old electricals free of charge. You can drop old portable batteries at our Hayes premises at any time.
What about very large or heavy items?
Please contact us at sales@diytools.com before sending anything large or heavy, such as a compressor or generator, and we'll talk you through the options.
What should I remove before returning an item?
Please drain any fuel or oil from petrol tools, and remove batteries where you can. Bring batteries to us separately in person, or take them to a battery recycling point.
What is WEEE?
WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013, sellers of electrical items must give customers a way to recycle their old equipment free of charge when they buy a new equivalent item. This page explains how we do that.
