Cooker and Oven Disposal and Recycling

Although early kitchen stoves have been around for centuries, Sir Benjamin Thompson invented the modern kitchen cooker in the 1790s. However, in the late 19^th century Canadian inventor Thomas Ahearn filed the first patent for the first electric stove.

Cookers come in a wide variety of models, makes, shapes and sizes, which can be made from different materials. Modern cookers generally have two sections – the hob and the oven. Hobs are often made from ceramic glass, while ovens are made of metal – usually aluminium or steel.

All-in-one electric stoves are made from metal alloys and large iron plates. The inside features a simple circuit with a thermostat, a cooling fan, a bake element, and a selector switch.

Most unwanted and old cookers class as WEEE waste (waste electrical and electronic equipment. Large household appliances such as ovens – alongside washing machines, fridges and freezers – make up 40% of WEEE waste in the UK. They may also class as bulky waste when arranging council collections because of their large size.

Due to their various components, parts of ovens are separated and recycled alongside relevant streams such as:

• Metal waste
• Plastic waste
• Glass waste

If you have an old cooker or electric oven, it can be tricky to dispose of as they’re bulky, heavy, and difficult to transport. When it still works you could donate or sell your old oven. This is the greenest option and you might make a bit of money. Otherwise, you can take unwanted cookers to the tip for disposal alongside other household appliances.

However, it’s much better for the environment if you recycle your cooker. There are various ways to recycle your cooker:

• Some cooker companies offer a recycling service, so you can return yours to them for free.
• Check your local council website, as they might offer recycling services.
• Businesses and individuals can use a professional waste disposal company – such as Business Waste – to collect, remove, and recycle your old cooker in the correct way.

A cooker has various components that can be recycled – metal, plastic, and glass. The general process to recycle a cooker is:

• The waste disposal or recycling company will dismantle the cooker and sort the components for recycling.
• They’ll then carefully remove all of the hazardous and potentially dangerous components or waste for separate disposal.
• If they find any parts that are valuable, the recycler may offer you some money for these parts.
• Finally, the materials that can be recycled will be turned into new machines.

Because cookers are bulky and difficult to manoeuvre it can make them hard to dispose of. If not disposed of correctly they can end up in landfill, where the metal and plastic they’re made from will take hundreds (if not thousands) of years to decompose. Plus, any hazardous elements can contaminate soil, water, and air supplies.

Therefore, the best way to get rid of an old cooker is to recycle it properly with a professional waste removal service.

Although there’s no one cooker that’s more eco-friendly than another when it comes to disposal, you should consider buying a hob, stove or oven from a retailer committed to recycling their products properly. You should also consider using an electric oven over a gas one, as they’re more eco-friendly.

Some of the most ‘ethical’ ovens include Smeg cookers, Miele cookers and Gorenje cookers. If you want an eco-friendlier way of disposing of your old cooker, donating it to someone in need could be the most environmentally friendly option. This saves on the energy used to dispose or recycle an oven.

In the UK, there are various ways you can recycle your old cooker for free. Many areas in the UK have local recycling centres where you can recycle your oven for free or for a small fee. Some councils also offer a pick-up service.

Big appliance stores (such as Currys) offer a recycling service for old appliances. Finally, many private waste disposal companies will take your old appliances and recycle them safely and professionally. Contact us today to find out more.