Electronic waste, or e-waste, is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world.  At Zest, we see tackling e-waste as a shared responsibility, one where manufacturers, service providers, and households all have a role to play.

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. Every year, millions of tonnes of discarded appliances, devices, and electronics end up in landfills or are improperly recycled, releasing harmful materials into the environment. The appliance industry is now under increasing pressure to find better solutions, and encouraging progress is being made. At Zest, we see tackling e-waste as a shared responsibility, one where manufacturers, service providers, and households all have a role to play.

One of the most significant shifts in recent years has been toward “design for disassembly.” Manufacturers are beginning to create appliances with modular parts that can be removed, repaired, or replaced more easily. This not only extends the lifespan of appliances but also makes them easier to recycle at the end of their life. Simple changes, like using standardised screws instead of permanent adhesives, mean more components can be recovered instead of thrown away.

Governments and regulators are also stepping in with “right to repair” laws and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes. These initiatives require manufacturers to provide spare parts, repair information, and take-back programs for old appliances. This approach encourages brands to take responsibility for the full lifecycle of their products rather than just the point of sale.

The industry is investing in more efficient recycling processes to recover valuable materials like copper, aluminium, and rare earth metals from old appliances. This reduces the need for new mining, lowers emissions, and keeps hazardous materials out of landfills. In some regions, retailers now offer collection services when a new appliance is delivered, ensuring old units are properly processed.

Tackling e-waste also means helping households make informed choices. From encouraging repair over replacement to providing guidance on responsible disposal, more companies are working to close the loop. At Zest, we support this by offering repair-first solutions, helping customers get the most out of their appliances before considering replacement.

Appliance care plans play a surprisingly big role in the fight against e-waste. By making repair simple, affordable, and quick, they keep appliances in service for longer and reduce unnecessary disposal. This not only benefits the environment but also helps households save money.

The challenge of e-waste is complex, but progress is being made. Through better design, stronger regulations, improved recycling, and a renewed focus on repair, the industry is moving toward a more circular economy.

At Zest, we’re proud to be part of that change, helping households extend the life of their appliances and reduce their environmental impact one repair at a time.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

We’re all a little guilty of using our appliances inefficiently, sometimes it can’t be avoided, we have so much to wash and so little time! But if you want to be more conscious of energy use, then stick around for our top tips.

Sustainability isn’t just about big changes, it’s often the small, everyday choices that make the greatest difference. Our homes are filled with appliances that make life easier, from the washing machine to the oven. But how we use and care for them has a real impact on both the environment and our household costs. At Zest, we believe sustainability and practicality go hand in hand.

Here are some simple, effective practices to make your appliances work better for you, and for the planet.

The most sustainable appliance is the one you already own. By repairing rather than replacing, you reduce waste, save resources, and cut down on the carbon footprint tied to manufacturing and shipping new appliances. At Zest, our care plans are designed to make repair the first and most affordable option.

Small adjustments to daily habits can have a big impact. Use your washing machine with full loads, switch to eco or low tmeperature cycles, and air dry laundry when possible.With dishwashers, scrape rather than rinse plates, and only run the machine when it’s full. For ovens, avoid preheating unless necessary and keep the door shut during cooking to conserve energy.

A well-maintained appliance is a more sustainable one. Simple steps like cleaning filters, descaling kettles, and defrosting freezers improve efficiency and extend lifespan. These tasks may seem small, but they help reduce energy use and prevent premature breakdowns – keeping appliances running smoothly for longer.

Pay attention to when and how you use appliances. Running washing machines or dishwashers overnight can take advantage of off-peak energy tariffs. Unplugging or switching off appliances when not in use prevents unnecessary energy drain. Even small “standby” lights consume power over time, so cutting them out adds up.

When the time does come to replace an appliance, choose wisely. Look for energy-efficient models with high ratings, durable designs, and repair-friendly parts. Buying better once is more sustainable than replacing cheaply and often.

Disposing of appliances responsibly is part of the cycle. Instead of sending broken appliances straight to landfill, explore recycling schemes or trade-in options. Many components from metals to plastics can be reused, reducing the need for new raw materials.

Sustainability isn’t about perfection: it’s about progress. By taking small steps, caring for the appliances we already own, and making mindful choices when it comes to repairs, usage, and upgrades, we can reduce our environmental impact without sacrificing convenience.

At Zest, we’re committed to helping households get the most out of their appliances in a way that’s simpler, smarter, and more sustainable. Because when we care for the things, we already have, we’re also caring for the world we live in.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

When your appliances break down, the most sustaibnable and eco friendly way to handle it is to repair, (when you have the option) rather than replace.

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be tempting to replace an appliance as soon as it breaks down. A shiny new washing machine or fridge might feel like the easiest solution. But when we look closer at the cost to our wallets and the cost to the environment, repairing often makes far more sense. At Zest, we believe repair should be the first choice, not the last resort.

Every year, millions of appliances are discarded. Many of them could have been repaired and used for years longer, but instead they end up as waste. Large appliances contribute heavily to landfill, and their components like plastics, metals, and chemicals, take decades to break down. By repairing instead of replacing, we reduce the flow of waste and give existing products a longer, more sustainable life.

It’s not just about waste. Manufacturing new appliances requires significant energy, from mining raw materials to shipping finished products worldwide. All of this adds to the carbon footprint of a single appliance before it even arrives in your kitchen. A repair, by contrast, uses only a fraction of those resources. Choosing to fix an appliance rather than replace it helps cut down on unnecessary emissions and supports a more sustainable way of living.

Most modern appliances are designed to last many years, but sometimes a minor fault, worn part, or electrical issue gets in the way. In many cases, a repair can restore your appliance to full working order at a far lower cost than buying new. At Zest, our plans are built around that idea: protecting your appliances and helping you get the maximum use out of what you already own.

Repair is not only the environmentally friendly option, but also usually the budget-friendly option. Replacing a fridge, oven, or washing machine can be a major expense, while a timely repair costs far less. With a Zest Appliance Care Plan, you can make the sustainable choice without worrying about unexpected repair bills.

On their own, one repair might not seem like much. But across thousands of households, choosing repair over replacement adds up to a powerful collective impact. Less waste, fewer carbon emissions, and a greater respect for the resources that went into making our appliances in the first place.

At Zest, we see repair as more than just fixing what’s broken. It’s about helping households live more sustainably, reducing waste, and protecting the planet, while making sure your home keeps running smoothly. Together, small choices can make a big difference.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

If you think you’re wasting too much food and packaging, then stick around and read our 5 top tips for reducing your food waste!

Food glorious food – we all love it and, with the bountiful selection of choice in supermarkets today, we unfortunately we have the growing tendency to waste tons of food each year. According to the Eco Experts, the UK throw away around 9.52 million tons of food per year, which equates to the Royal Albert Hall being filled 192 times. We all want to do our bit for the planet, so we’ve put together a few simple ways to cut down on your food waste.

Whether it’s leftover lasagne from last night, or the abundance of fruit and veg that’s nearing its best before date, stick everything in the freezer and consume within the following three months. Not only does this save you on cooking prep time, but it also cuts down on your food waste, allowing you to spend less on shopping.

Bacteria thrives in warmer temperatures, which can cause food to go off quicker and, in turn, be wasted. Ensure your fridge is kept between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius to be at an optimum temperature to keep your food fresh.

Similar to supermarkets, a great way to keep on top of best before dates is to rotate your food within the fridge, bringing produce that is nearing the end of its life to the front of the fridge – a simple reminder to use it first.

Whilst this is not always the most readily available option for everyone, making an effort to compost what you can, if you can, is a great way to cut down on waste and be more environmentally friendly.

This may seem obvious but planning your meals ahead of time can cut back on food waste dramatically. Following a stricter shopping list can ensure you only use what is necessary for a recipe or a lunch box and can help you avoid throwing away food that isn’t used.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

Energy is expensive and using too much can be bad for the planet, so if you want to save money and be more eco-conscious, then stick around for this article on saving energy with your appliances.

With energy prices soaring in recent times, we thought it was the perfect time to share some tips on how to save energy with your appliances. For all of these – if you are on an Economy 7 or 10 energy system they should make sure you use your appliances when they are on the “Cheap Rate” (You should contact your energy provider if you are unsure, and check your peak and off-peak hours).

• Wait until you have a full load of washing – your washing machine will use the same energy whether you have 1 item or 50 items in the drum.
• Use a lower heat for your wash. 30 degrees is the most efficient, or if you have an ECO cycle, then use that. 
• Use a shorter cycle if you can, the less time the machine is running, the less energy used.
• If you have a really dirty wash, pre soak the clothes and they should clean more easily, meaning you can shorten the wash cycle. 

• Air dry your clothes whenever you can as tumble dryers generally consume a lot of energy when running.
• Clean your filters regularly – ideally after each use. This will ensure your tumble dryer is working as efficiently as possible.
• Make sure you untangle your washing when you put it in the dryer – it takes longer to dry washing that is tangled.
• If you have multiple loads of washing to dry try and do them one after the other as you can take advantage of the residual heat in the dryer.
• Use a speedy spin cycle on your washing machine to get as much water out of the clothes as possible.
• Make sure you use the correct cycle on the tumble dryer, for the clothes you are trying to dry.

• Rinse your dishes beforehand and use a lower temperature cycle.
• Make sure your dishwasher is full before switching it on – it uses the same energy whether you have 1 plate in it, or 30 plates, but be careful you don’t overload it.
• Use a quality detergent.
• Use a limescale cleaner once a month, and make sure the salt reservoir is regularly replenished (if applicable).

• Make sure you allow food to cool down before placing it in the fridge
• Regularly check to ensure your fridge seals are intact
• Don’t leave the door open too long
• Ensure the temperature is between 3 and 5
• Clean the coils at the back each month to ensure the fridge is efficient, and ensure the waste pipe is clean and not blocked
• Ensure there is a decent gap between the back of the fridge and the wall – this gives the coils and the motor some breathing room and helps them work efficiently

• Regularly check the seals on the freezer are in good condition
• Make sure you never put warm food in the freezer, as this causes the freezer to work harder, costing more money
• Full Freezers work more efficiently than half full ones – so have some frozen water bottles in the freezer to fill it up or newspaper
• Make sure the temperature is set correctly
• Defrost your Freezer every 6 months – there should be less than 5mm of ice build up 

• Cook multiple things at once – your oven is pretty big, use the space to avoid having to use it again later
• Open the door as little as possible when cooking – it let’s all the hot air escape, meaning your oven has to work harder
• Clean your oven regularly – this ensure the heat goes straight to your food and not on nasty burnt sides
• Glass and Ceramic dishes hold heat much better than metal ones, so try and use these as much as possible
• Try and cook fresh or defrosted foods rather than frozen ones, as this takes less time = less energy!

• Switch your TV to an Energy-saving mode – or Eco Mode. This will lower the amount of energy used
• If you have a newer tv it will only use a minimal amount of energy in standby mode – but if you have an older tv you will want to avoid leaving it in standby mode, as this uses energy more energy. Switching it off completely is better
• Switch the tv off when nobody is in the room, and use a radio for something in the background
• Consider using a tablet when watching tv or movies, as they use a lot less energy
• Turn the brightness of your screen down
• Glass and Ceramic dishes hold heat much better than metal ones, so try and use these as much as possible
• Try and cook fresh or defrosted foods rather than frozen ones, as this takes less time = less energy!

Portable heaters can be expensive to run – so they should only be used as a supplementary measure, to complement the central heating system.

There are 5 types of portable heaters: Bar Fire, Convector Heater, Oil-Filled Radiator, Fan Heater, and Halogen Heater.

It is important you use the right type of heater for the area you are trying to heat. If you are looking to heat a room for a few hours or more then you should look to use a convector heater or an oil-filled radiator. These heaters usually have a thermostat which helps you ensure the rooms does not overheat and saves money. They also hold heat (particularly Oil Filled Radiators) meaning you don’t have to run them for so long.

If you are only looking to heat your room for a short period of time, then you are better off using a radiant heater, such as a Bar Fire, Fan Heater, or Halogen Heater, as they heat up much quicker and provide an immediate heat boost.

Fan heaters can be costly to run, as well as noisy, and they can fry the air out in your room, and Bar Fires can be inefficient – our preference would be to use a halogen Heater – they are widely known to be more cost-efficient, and many have an oscillation feature which helps you heat the room more evenly.

If you are on Economy 7/10 then avoid using your heaters during peak hours – as this can be considerably more expensive than off-peak. Check with your energy provider if you are unsure if you are on E7/10, and what your off-peak hours are.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

One often overlooked appliance is a bread maker. If you’re considering buying a bread maker, stick around and read our list of pros and cons!

Homemade bread can be a tiresome and long process and, in some cases, not always successful. A bread machine alleviates the stress of regular baking, allowing you to place all the ingredients into the appliance at one time and return after a few hours to a freshly baked loaf.

Making your own bread works out considerably cheaper than buying a loaf, meaning you can get a much better-quality loaf of bread for less. According to White River Kitchens, it works out around 30-50 pence per loaf.

Everyone knows how long the process of kneading dough is and, quite frankly, it’s one of the main reasons people avoid baking their own bread. A bread maker takes this inconvenience away from you, using its paddles to knead bread in no time, so you can simply sit back and relax, letting the appliance do its job.

Using a bread maker means you’ll know exactly what you’ve put into your bread, unlike store-bought alternatives which can be pumped full of synthetic additives.

When it comes to cleaning up, a bread maker is as simple as it can get. Simply wash the bread pan, and you’re finished. Yes – it’s really that easy.

One disadvantage of using a bread maker as opposed to your hands is that the paddles are typically fixed, meaning they remain in the dough when baking, often leaving a hole in the middle of the loaf. Whilst this is not the biggest hinderance, it can be an annoyance to those who aim for gold standard loaves.

In a conventional oven, you can cook several loaves at once – great for batch baking or larger families. However, a bread maker limits you to one loaf per bake, which can be time-consuming when you’re looking to bake numerous loaves.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

Autumn is a beautiful season, and there are so many ways to have fun as well as keep energy costs down in your home. Check out our article of suggestions for sustainable Autumn fun!

The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and the evenings are drawing in; this can mean only one thing: Autumn has arrived! While the colder months invite us indoors more often, they’re the perfect time to make simple, sustainable changes at home. From energy-smart habits to creative reuse, here are five fun, budget-friendly activities to help you enjoy the season while making your home and appliances work more efficiently.

Taking time out of your day to explore nature is a brilliant way to enjoy the season, and it’s completely free. But bring your walk home with you. Use your strolls to scout your neighbourhood for ideas on weatherproofing, insulation, and appliance-friendly habits. Notice which homes use draught excluders, thick curtains or porch plants to buffer heat loss. When you return, you can apply tiny adjustments to make your appliances, like your heating system, work less hard. A cosy walk becomes inspiration for a more energy-efficient home.

A pumpkin-carving competition is a classic autumn delight. But this year, make it doubly sustainable by using every part of the pumpkin and by cooking wisely. Roast pumpkin seeds in an air fryer or energy-efficient oven setting and turn leftover pulp into soups or bakes. Batch-cooking pumpkin dishes and storing them in your fridge or freezer lets your appliances run more efficiently by staying fuller, while reducing food waste and saving money. One pumpkin can be an entire week of autumn comfort food.

Instead of buying disposable autumn décor, forage for branches, leaves and acorns to create natural centrepieces and wreaths. These additions make your home feel seasonal, and they also encourage you to rely less on artificial lighting and electric décor. Pair your nature-inspired decorations with warm-toned LED bulbs or low energy lamps to create a cosy ambience without pushing appliances into overdrive. You get atmosphere, sustainability, and a home that feels grounded in the season.

This activity is wonderful for kids and equally great for your household footprint. Build your scarecrow from items you already have. Worn-out clothes, old socks, newspapers you’ve been meaning to recycle. You can even display it indoors as part of your seasonal décor, reducing the temptation to buy single-use ornaments or battery-powered Halloween decorations. It’s a creative reminder that reusing materials at home reduces waste and lowers the demand on resources tied to manufacturing and shipping new products.

With the cost of living and energy bills rising, autumn is the ideal season to adopt smart home habits. Small changes can make a big difference:

• Use your heating system efficiently by setting timers rather than leaving it running.

• Close curtains before sunset to trap heat so radiators and heaters don’t have to work overtime.

• Add draught excluders or homemade doorstoppers to keep rooms warm and reduce heat loss.

• Layer up with your favourite autumn sweaters and throws before turning up the thermostat.

• Use appliances like tumble dryers sparingly, taking advantage of breezy autumn days for air-drying when possible.

These tricks help you stay warm, and ensure your appliances run more efficiently and last longer. We hope this helps and you have a wonderful. Sustainable Autumn!

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

Energy bills are going up and its getting even more expensive to heat your home and use your appliances. Check out our breakdown of why here!

Although general energy prices increased last year, the same thing will happen this year again. This won’t be just a standard rise, but a historic one. Ofgem released a statement declaring a 54% increase to energy price caps from April 2022. This beat Energy UK’s estimate by 4%. But why is this happening?

The problem arose during a cold, heavy winter in 2021 that hit all of Europe. This caused a lot of pressure on supplies of gas levels globally. Supply and demand for energy increased drastically. And after such a rise in demand, came a monumental price increase of 250% from January 2021. And a 70% rise just from August 2021.

After an increase in demand during the winter months, many predicted an increase of 50% for consumers this coming spring of 2022. Even the chief executive of energy here in the UK, Emma Pinchbeck, gave a prediction increase of 45% to 50% in the spring.

Since January of 2021, a total of 20 energy firms have gone under. These are a mix of large to smaller companies that couldn’t handle the increased rise in wholesale gas costs. Initially, they sustained the first barrage of financial burden prior to the sudden drastic rise of energy prices. However, energy companies received an increase to the energy price cap, easing some of the pressure in October of 2021. 

Unfortunately, for some firms like Pure Planet and Avro Energy, it was too late to recoup costs. 

Although there hasn’t been a person without energy during the process, users are being placed or even swapped over towards drastically higher rates.

 However, though no one has been missing energy, there might be a rise starting this spring from £1,277 a year to a whopping £1,900. This rise could cause a substantial ripple effect throughout lower-class households. As they’ll have to sacrifice necessities such as food and water in order to pay the bills.

After an increase in inflation looming or to some already here, the general cost of living will increase drastically after the fallout caused by the pandemic.

 Additionally, with inevitable demands set to rise again during this year’s winter months, the price – as stated above – is set to rise. 

Emma Pinchbeck spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It’s looking pretty serious. This is a system-wide issue. We are asking for the Treasury in the UK to intervene.” 

Pinchbeck went on to say that just over 20% of a user’s bill is established by the suppliers. Whereas a large amount of the bill is policy costs, and many other countries all across Europe have reduced taxes and or VAT.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.

Ever wondered about the ethical landscape of the appliance care industry? Well take a look at our deep dive here for the good , the bad and the ugly of appliance care!

When it comes to protecting the appliances we rely on every day, not all care plans are created equal. The appliance care market, like any service industry, has its fair share of both ethical and less ethical practices. For households, the difference can mean peace of mind or frustration and wasted money. At Zest, we believe transparency and fairness should be at the heart of every plan.

Unfortunately, some practices in the market put profit ahead of customers. These can include:

Lengthy terms and conditions written in confusing language, making it hard for households to understand what’s actually covered.

Some providers promote “comprehensive” cover, only for customers to discover that key parts or types of breakdowns aren’t included when they try to make a claim.

Aggressive sales tactics, especially targeting vulnerable customers, can lead people into plans that don’t suit their needs.

Encouraging replacement over repair, even when a fix is possible, contributes to unnecessary costs and environmental waste.

Long waits for repairs, unresponsive customer service, or using substandard parts all undermine the trust customers place in their provider.

These practices may keep short term profits high, but they damage the reputation of the industry and more importantly erode customer confidence. That’s without mentioning the effect on our planet that much of these practices have.

On the other hand, there are ethical providers that are raising their standards and putting fairness first. Here are some of the practices we think providers are doing in the spirit of transparency, what they’re doing right.

Customers should know exactly what is included and excluded before signingup, with no unpleasant suprises later.

Ethical providers focus on repairing appliances whenever possible, saving customers’ money and reducing waste.

Plans should provide value, with costs that are proportional to the level of cover offered. 

Ethical sales companies train their teams to support households with empathy and professionalism, without pressure or misdirection.

Encouraging repair over replacement where possible, recycling parts responsibly, and minimising waste reflects a commitment to both people and planet. 

These practices may keep short term profits high, but they damage the reputation of the industry and more importantly erode customer confidence. That’s without mentioning the effect on our planet that much of these practices have.

Appliance care isn’t just about convenience, it’s about trust. When a washing machine breaks down or the oven stops working, households need quick, reliable help. Ethical practices ensure customers feel supported, not exploited, and that the service they’re paying for genuinely makes life easier. 

At Zest, we see ethical care as more than a business model, it’s a responsibility. By focusing on transparency, repair-first solutions, and sustainable choices, we aim to raise the bar for what households should expect from appliance care. Because looking after appliances should never come at the expense of fairness or integrity.

Whether you’re looking to buy new or need help with caring for existing appliances our experts are here to answer your questions with useful guides and articles.