Return your walking aids or equipment

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.

The Partnership, NHS Fife and Fife Council 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 online here.

The Fife Equipment Loan store (FELS) also loan equipment to support people to remain in their own home or homely setting. You can request an assessment for equipment by contacting us on 03451 551503. Certain items can also be assessed by your local district nurse via your GP practice.

FELS loan out equipment such as:

• Walking aids
• Toileting & showering equipment
• Pressure cushions & mattresses
• Beds and hoists

If you have equipment on loan from FELS or can’t get to a recycling centre, you can call their support team to arrange for an uplift on 01592 583252. 

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

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.”

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.”