To coincide with the return of the BBC series Robot Wars, a live event was held in Northwich in Cheshire last month (17 January) with the aim of promoting the importance of recycling, reuse and repair of old electrical and electronic goods.

‘WEEE Love Robots’ was organised by Cheshire West and Chester Council alongside producer compliance scheme Valpak.

The event consisted of an exhibition of community and environmental initiatives, and four shows where people watched specifically designed fighting robots battle against one another in a series of bouts. There were an estimated 800 attendees to the event, and people shared their experience across social media with #weeeloverobots.

Every year, an estimated two million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) items are discarded by households and companies in the UK, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The event tied in with the upgrade of the local council’s WEEE recycling, reuse and repair facilities.

Local radio station ‘Dee’ carried out a number of interviews with reuse and repair centres, such as Cheshire Reuse Forum and Changing Lives Cheshire, to promote the new sites. The two organisations work closely with the council and Valpak to provide electrical and electronic equipment repair and donation services, delivering ‘value goods to local residents at affordable prices’.

‘A great climax’ to events promoting reuse and recycling

Duncan Simpson, Valpak’s Director of Marketing said: “Most visitors to the ‘WEEE Love Robots’ event will have stopped off at a stand to learn about the importance of reuse and recycling, alongside many other good causes.

“It has been a great climax to a series of pieces of work that have helped to increase the amount of material that has been collected for reuse and recycling across the county. I am really pleased to report that 10 per cent of that material will be made available to reuse schemes.”

Liz Ellis, Cheshire West and Chester Council Recycling and Awareness Officer said: “Everyone who came today has had the opportunity to find out more about the local recycling facilities that are available to them for unwanted electrical and electronic items and to learn how they can do their bit to help.

“They will hopefully understand how beneficial recycling these items is to the local area and community, and I am sure that they will have had an entertaining and fun day.”

Further information about Cheshire West and Chester Council’s WEEE recycling campaign is available on the council's website.