Residents in Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers and Witham can now dispose of large electrical appliances at their local recycling centre. Items could then be repaired and reused.

The scheme is run by Essex County Council and The Lighthouse Furniture Project.

The aim is to prevent waste from going to landfill by repairing, reusing and re-selling items.

It has already been in place for over a year at other recycling centres in Essex. These include Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester and Harlow.

The sites have dedicated areas where people can drop-off items such as electric cookers, washing machines, fridges, freezers, tumble dryers and dishwashers.

The Lighthouse Furniture Project collects and repairs the items, before selling them in the local community at affordable prices.  

In the first year of activity, almost 1,000 items were collected. 80% of them were repaired and returned to the market.

Councillor Peter Schwier, Climate Czar and Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling, said: "I am pleased to see the partnership with the Lighthouse Furniture Project becoming stronger and offering this useful service at even more locations in Essex.

"With this project we are avoiding sending good quality items to landfill and showing how reuse and repair can work. We are also supporting local communities, promoting the circular economy and protecting the environment."

Peter Everett, CEO of The Lighthouse Furniture Project, said: "As a charity and social enterprise, we are really excited about the donation points for large electrical appliances at new recycling centres across Essex. The new sites will enable us to help more residents with low-cost refurbished appliances. 

"We look forward to supporting more households through our partnership with Essex County Council. We are promoting reuse and the circular economy, whilst making a great social and environmental impact. Huge thanks to the staff who help make it the success that it is".

Residents wanting to use the service can follow the signs to the dedicated drop-off area or ask a member of staff. More information is available on the Love Essex website.