Recycle your old walking aid

Back to list 22/10/2024

Do you have a walking aid that you or a family member no longer uses?

Maybe it’s a walking stick in your garage, a set of crutches in the loft or a wardrobe or other equipment gathering dust but still in good condition.

These are just a few examples of items we can give a new lease of life.

NHS Fife and Fife Council, through the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership have launched a campaign to encourage people to return their walking aids and equipment so they can be refurbished and used again.

Not only does it have environmental benefits, but it also has a financial benefit too.

Did you know:

98% of returned walking aids can be refurbished or reused,
Refurbished walking aids are 87% lower in carbon emissions,

What can be recycled?

Walking Frames
Crutches
Sticks
Bath Boards, Bath Lifts, Shower Seats
Toilet Frames, Commodes
Orthopaedic Chairs, Perching Stools
Trolleys
Bed Rails
Over Bed Tables

Where can you recycle the items?

When you, or your relative, no longer require the equipment you can return it to a local Recycling Centre - ask staff at the recycling centre for the community equipment recycling container. The equipment can then be refurbished and used again if it is in good condition.

Find your nearest recycling point our Recycling equipment page.

Please don’t take equipment to be recycled to hospitals, health centres or Fife Council offices.

Claire Dobson, Director of Acute Service, NHS Fife said: “We hope that Fifers will help us and return their walking aids and equipment because often, what’s lying around unused in people’s garages or lofts can be used again to help someone else who needs it.

“And going forward all of our new equipment will now have a QR code sticker to link to information on how to use their aid and where to recycle it once they no longer need it.”

Lynne Garvey, Head of Community Care Services, Fife Health and Social Care Partnership added: “This equipment amnesty will allow us to recycle and refurbish essential items to allow others to have the equipment they need to remain independent at home or in a homely setting for as long as possible. It might seem like a small act to return a walking aid to a local recycling centre, but it is a great way of giving back to your own community.”

Walking sticks with QR code stickers on them which can be scanned on a smartphone. This takes the user to information on how to recycle the item to be cleaned and refurbished and used by another patient.