How can I reuse or recycle a toaster grill?
We’ve had an email from Rebecca:
I have a grill I no longer need, but it’s a bit grotty so I don’t think I could sell it on. It looks like this –>
Are there any facilities for recycling items like this? It seems a waste to bin it, but it’s difficult to clean so we couldn’t get it into a resaleable state.
In the UK, it will be covered by the WEEE Directive so the place you bought it from might take it back – or if nothing else, there should be an electricals spot at your local “household waste sorting site” (ie, the local tip), where they’ll get disposed of properly.
If it still works though, it would be a shame to scrap it just because it’s a bit grotty. If you don’t think you can sell it, try giving it away on Freecycle instead – someone might be grateful for it in whatever state it is in – particularly if they have a non-food use for it. The only non-food use that springs to mind instantly is for making shrinky-dinks but I bet someone with some electrical knowledge could use the heating element/timer for something fancy and useful.
Any other ideas?
You could put it on its side and use it to make toasted cheese sandwiches?
freecycle it
If it’s like the one in the picture, you could re-use the wire rack type thing for makeshift barbeques on picnics. Dig a hole for coals , or have a metal tray , and put the grill over the top.
These are some excellent ideas! I think the WEEE Directive is a worthwhile concept, but reusing items is a good way of getting a longer life from them.
Rachel
If you’d like some more info on the WEEE Directive or how you can recycle your products in the North East of England click the link in my name.