Sustainability

Removing unnecessary plastics is a priority for us – and something we know is equally important to our customers. Read our plastics and packaging policy here. You'll find answers to questions about what we are doing to remove plastic products and introduce reusable or recyclable containers and how we are tackling plastics in our supply chain and with our suppliers. There is also Our Plastic Plan, which gives you details of our commitment to reduce the impact on our environment, some real reduction numbers and improvements we are making.

The Partnership provides a free recycling service for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) that you're able to return to our Waitrose and John Lewis shops. We’ll also offer to take away your old small electrical item for free when we’re delivering a large item or appliance to you from John Lewis (as long as we have space to take it). 

Note: Unwanted electrical equipment is the UK’s fastest-growing type of waste. Many electrical items can be repaired or recycled, saving natural resources and the environment. If not recycled, electrical equipment will often end up in landfill where hazardous substances can leak out and cause soil and water contamination, which can harm wildlife and human health.

Recycling old items in store - Waitrose & John Lewis

You can bring your old electrical items to be recycled at any Waitrose or John Lewis shop

Please take your old item to either the Customer Collection Point or the Tech Support Desk in our John Lewis shops for recycling. In our Waitrose shops please take it to the Welcome Desk.

• The item you want to return and recycle doesn't need to have been bought from us (either online or in store).

• If your item is very small, and less than 25cm on its longest side, then you can take it to one of our branches whenever you wish.

• If your item is larger than 25cm on its longest side, we will currently accept a like-for-like equivalent when you are purchasing a new item.

• Please make sure the item you're returning is clean and dry, and that any personal data has been removed from its memory - follow the instructions on the device to restore to factory settings or follow this handy guide supplied by www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk

• If you're not sure how to remove your personal data, in our John Lewis shops we offer an in-store service where our specialist Partners will clear all data from your old device. There's a small fee for this service. 

Collecting small electrical items for recycling - John Lewis only 

If we’re delivering a large item to you from John Lewis and we have two people making the delivery (for things like furniture or appliances), we’ll offer to take away your old small electrical item for recycling, as long as there is space on the van to take it. This service is free.

We can take small electrical items that are clean and dry, such as kettles, vacuum cleaners, coffee machines, microwaves, and toasters. However, we cannot take data-bearing items such as laptops or phones.

Collecting large electrical appliances for recycling - John Lewis only

We offer a collection service for large electrical appliances when you buy a new one from John Lewis. There is a small charge for this service. You can find out more by visiting our dedicated large electrical appliance recycling service page. 

You can also search for your local recycling locations by visiting the Recycle Your Electricals website or contact your local council to locate your nearest electrical items recycling site to recycle an appliance yourself.

Identifying what can be recycled

All new electrical and electronic products sold have a crossed-out wheelie bin symbol to help you identify which products are recyclable, or should be considered for repair or reuse.

Everything from AA and AAA batteries, to mobile phone batteries and button cells used in hearing aids and watches, can be deposited for recycling using facilities in all of our John Lewis and Waitrose shops. 

• You don't have to have purchased new batteries or battery-containing products to be able to recycle your old ones. 

• We can also collect your old batteries when we’re making a two-person delivery from John Lewis (for example when we’re delivering furniture or a large appliance). 

• We're only able to accept portable batteries that can be easily hand-carried for recycling. Other batteries, including automotive and industrial batteries, can be recycled at other sites across the UK. Visit www.recyclenow.com or contact your local authority for more information.

We offer a Vape recycling service in our shops. A designated recycling collection tub is available at the Welcome Desk or Tobacco Kiosk at our Waitrose shops or Customer Collection at our John Lewis shops.