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Walking aids

Metal crutches, metal walking sticks and metal walking frames can be returned to your local hospital for cleaning and reuse. For more details have a look at the Recycle Now website, type in your postcode and the words `Walking Aids` to find your nearest take-back point. The hospitals can`t accept wooden walking aids.

For other equipment such as dining trolleys, perching stools, commodes and toilet seat risers, please see our separate entry for `Aids for daily living`, where you will find more information on take-back and reuse donation points.

The charity Scope, also has a really good advice section on how to donate and recycle used disability equipment.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper can`t be recycled in your paper and card bin. Please put any new or used wallpaper in your general waste bin. You can donate leftover rolls of wallpaper to some charity shops

Washing machines

If the washer is still working, contact your local Furniture Reuse Organisation to see if they will accept it for reuse. A simple repair could give an item a new lease of life and save you money too. Check whether it might be easy and cheap for an expert to make the repair for you or search online for guides to making simple repairs. A lot of stores are now operating a take back scheme for your old electricals - check out the recycling locator on the www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk website. Alternatively you can take old washing machines to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or check to see if your local council offers a household recycling collection for bulky electricals.

Wet wipes

The only correct way of disposing of wet wipes once you have used them is to place them in a rubbish bin. People often flush wet wipes either because they are unaware of the harm they cause, or because it is the most convenient method for them. Even when a wet-wipe package claims its contents are flushable, biodegradable or compostable - they won`t degrade quickly enough to avoid being a menace down our drains. Why not give reusable wipes a try? Washable baby wipes are simply cloths you can use on your baby to clean bottoms, hands or faces, and are the perfect eco-friendly swap for disposable baby wipes. Being reusable means they are so versatile and environmentally friendly at the same time!

Window glass

Window glass cannot currently be recycled. Please take your window glass to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for safe disposal.

Wood

Waste wood is accepted at all of our Household Waste Recycling Centres. If it is in good condition, why not advertise it on Freegle or Freecycle? Perhaps someone may be able to use it for an upcycling project or failing that, for firewood.

Wrapping paper

In common with many other councils across the country, the councils in Cumbria do not want Christmas wrapping paper in the recycling. This is because it often contains a lot of sellotape, ribbons and other non-recyclable material which contaminates the rest of the paper recycling. Please check your local kerbside collection arrangements though first. Instead of using shop bought wrapping paper you can use old newspapers - these are just as nice when jazzed up with a nice piece of ribbon or a bow. You could also try the Japanese art of Furoshiki which sees gifts wrapped in a piece of cloth - the cloths can be kept and passed back and forth between people each year