THE revamped Fixy project will be launched on Saturday (December 16) in Taunton town centre. 

Volunteers in the blue Fixy van will be collecting unwanted devices such as phones, laptops, and tablets in addition to smart technology, which will be reused through Donate IT.

These devices will then be securely data-wiped, recycled, and distributed to local people who need them most.

The Fixy van will travel across Somerset, allowing residents to recycle their devices and promote local repair groups and recycling points. 

'Pop-up' Fixy van accepting electrical donations.
'Pop-up' Fixy van accepting electrical donations. ( )

Local people who are unable to attend on Saturday are urged to keep an eye out for Recycle Your Electrical’s pink mascot, HypnoCat, on posters and leaflets for more information about recycling electrical devices and the project's objectives.

During its pilot stage, Fixy collected 1,467 items which were checked, refurbished, and returned to the community. Any items that are unsuitable for repair are stripped for materials and metals and recycled.

The Fixy Project is one of more than 40 UK projects funded by Material Focus, which leads the Recycle Your Electricals campaign. 

Material Focus have provided Fixy with £50,000 in the hope that it will join other projects across the country and make electrical recycling more accessible for UK residents. 

The nationwide Electricals Recycling Fund aims to significantly reduce e-waste and its environmental impact. 

Research shows that most unwanted electricals remain hoarded in homes because people are unaware of how to dispose of them.

As a result, the project will install over 400 new collection points which will be installed in parish and town councils, schools, and community centres.

Lead member for environmental and climate change at Somerset Council, Cllr Dixie Darch, said: “The Fixy project has shown that Somerset residents want to do the right thing and make sure their unused electricals are put to good use. 

“This funding has opened the door for more people to learn about and access recycling options.”

Executive director of Material Focus, Scott Butler, said: “We are pleased to support the Fixy project that addresses the pressing issue of e-waste.

“By investing in improved collection and drop-off services and exploring new recycling methods, we are taking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for 10 million more people to recycle their electricals.”