TECH recycling project Fixy is expanding its donation network with 40 new small electrical drop-off points in libraries and community spaces across Somerset and other parts of the Westcountry.

The expansion will make the project available to more than 948,000 households and hopefully encourage them to get behind its drive to recycle their electricals.

The drop-off points provide a safe and convenient way for residents to donate and safely recycle unwanted devices such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.

Every item collected will be securely wiped of data by Donate IT, a charity specialising in refurbishing and redistributing devices to tackle digital poverty.

Devices suitable for reuse will be redistributed to people in need, while non-repairable items will be responsibly recycled.

It is one of more than 60 UK pilots funded by Material Focus, a not for profit organisation leading the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, which has provided £100,000 to support the expansion plans.

The Fixy project is joining other pilots around the country in making it easier for 10 million UK residents to recycle their electricals.

The project is managed by nationwide sustainability experts Resource Futures in partnership with the Westcountry’s leading digital inclusion charity Donate IT.

Fixy hopes to collect an estimated 26 tonnes of donated smart tech devices over the next 12 months, via the new pilot.

Donate IT is recruiting volunteers to help with collections, community engagement, and social media promotion.

Fixy also wants to hear from community venues, local businesses, and libraries interested in becoming a drop-off point, and expressions of interest can be sent via the Fixy project website.

The pilot is part of new funding where Material Focus has allocated an additional £750,000.

The aim of the nationwide Electricals Recycling Fund is to significantly reduce e-waste and its environmental impact by making it easier for consumers to recycle electricals.