Got an old camera, lens, or accessory that's past its prime? While we at Camera Recycle always advocate giving cameras new life through resale or reuse, sometimes equipment is beyond repair or repurposing. In these cases, recycling responsibly is your best option. Here’s a simple guide on how to properly recycle your old camera gear in the UK, keeping it out of landfill and protecting the environment.
Step 1: Always Try Repair, Reuse, or Repurpose First
Before recycling, consider if your camera can be:
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Repaired: Many cameras can be fixed by local camera repair shops or specialists.
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Reused or Donated: Charities, schools, and community groups often welcome functional camera gear.
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Repurposed: Broken gear might serve as spare parts or be creatively repurposed.
Only if these options are not possible should recycling be your choice. At Camera Recycle, we buy a wide range of used camera equipment — including some faulty or vintage items with resale or repair value. Each item is assessed individually, and where resale isn’t possible, we always aim to reuse or recycle responsibly.
Where we can, we test, refurbish, or reuse what we can to give it a second life. However, not all items can be repaired or reused — in these cases, recycling is the most responsible option.
Step 2: Prepare Your Gear for Recycling
- Remove Batteries: Take out and separately recycle batteries at dedicated battery recycling points (supermarkets and electronic stores often have battery recycling boxes).
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Clear Personal Data: For digital cameras, remove memory cards and erase internal memory to protect your privacy.
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Gather Accessories: Bundle any chargers, cables, or accessories together for convenient recycling.
Step 3: Choose How to Recycle
Local Recycling Centres
Your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) accepts cameras and accessories as electronic waste. Simply drop them in the container marked for small electricals. Check your local council’s website for locations and accepted items. You can find your nearest drop-off point here.
Retailer Take-Back Schemes
Retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, and B&Q have electronic recycling programmes in stores that accept old cameras for free recycling (even if you haven't purchased from them). Just visit their stores and drop your camera in the small electricals bin.
Charity Recycling Programmes
Certain charities accept broken or outdated camera equipment for recycling, converting your old gear into valuable funds. Examples include Macmillan Cancer Support and Alzheimer’s Society, both of which offer convenient recycling options.
We recommend British Heart Foundation - a national charity that does a great job with vintage camera equipment donations. You can drop off your items at their local shops or use their postal donation service. More information can be found here.
Why Recycling Matters
Recycling camera equipment helps recover valuable materials, prevents toxic substances from harming the environment, and ensures compliance with UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations.
Remember, recycling is the last resort—always prioritise repair, reuse, and repurposing first. But when recycling is necessary, these simple steps will help you do so responsibly.
