Cheddar Slot Car - Home
About Cheddar Slot Car Centre
About Digital Slot Car Racing
Scalextric en España / Videos
Circuit Design
Converting to Digital Scalextric
Organising meetings
Chipping saloon cars
Chipping a single-seater
Repairs and maintenance
Service Sheets
Digital racecraft and rules
Some SSD circuits
Advanced SSD
Promotional video
Links and information
On-line digital racing
iPhone and iPod products
Rural Racer
Recycling (WEEE) and environmental

Updates via Twitter
Digital Rock for racing to

Scalextric Start Conversion Track C8525   £4.95   info... Scalextric Nissan and Porsche Twin Pack C3129   £35.95   info... Scalextric Porsche 911 GT3R 2004 Infineon Carrera Cup Asia C3084   £32.95   info... Scalextric BMW Mini Twin Pack C3128   £35.95   info... Scalextric Lamborghini Twin Pack C3130   £35.95   info... Scalextric Digital Lane Change Set C1256   £149.95   info... Carrera Morgan Plus 8 Centenary Edition C27305   £29.95   info... Carrera Ford Capri RS3100 CA27295   £27.95   info...

Recycling your old Scalextric items Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment - WEEE The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment or WEEE regulations address the environmental impact of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment from both businesses and consumers. The idea is to ensure these products are being recovered & recycled or treated efficiently using the best available techniques. Under these regulations suppliers of electrical equipment must allow their customers to return their WEEE at no cost. WEEE is fast becoming the largest waste stream in the UK, and much of this waste is ending up in landfill sites that are ultimately contaminating the surrounding land. Yet most electrical items currently thrown out with your usual rubbish can in fact be recycled. Here we are doing our bit to recycle any old slot cars, parts or accessories that you may want to get rid of, and our efforts to get people to digitally-chip and refurbish their old cars are part of that process. Officially eligible WEEE items have this crossed-out wheelie bin symbol marked on them, however in principle we will take off your hands, from private households, any old slot car, power unit, hand controller or other slot car electrical item of whatever age, when you are buying a replacement from us. Please do not take your old slot car stuff to the local domestic tip! Simply return the old item to us, the item you are returning does not have to have been bought from us originally, and does not even need to be non-functioning. We will then process the waste item in an environmentally friendly manner and will keep records of the means of disposal as required by the WEEE regulations. You can also visit the Environment Agency to find out more about WEEE.

Other recycling initiatives Wherever possible we send out items in recyclable postal packaging and with biodegradable void-fill where required. If we have received outer packaging from manufacturers we will re-use this where we can to send items on to customers, so don't be surprised when your goods arrive in an unusual box. We will always make use of a previously-posted box or bag wherever we can, before using a new one. We always aim to get your items into the fewest possible packages and sent in one delivery (unless requested otherwise). And in the store room and office we recycle waste paper and card, plastic, ink cartridges and anything else that local recycling facilities are available for. For more information about recycling in your area please visit recycle-more.co.uk.

Environmental considerations Whilst we do all we can once goods arrive with us in terms of recycling and minimising environmental impact, the subject of toy production in China and India provokes much discussion, with strong views for and against, particularly as it touches on many environmental concerns. Estimates of the proportion of the world's toys that are made in China vary, but are around the 75% mark, and that includes many Scalextric products and also those of other slot car manufacturers too. Of course many other technology and electrical products such as iPhones and kitchen white goods are also manufactured in China. However Hornby - the manufacturers of Scalextric and many other brands - is held as one of the better-behaved businesses in terms of considering its environmental and social responsibilities. From the company annual report: "The Board considers the social, environmental and ethical matters pertinent to the Group, and will review items of significance where appropriate. The risk assessment procedures in place are designed to highlight any key areas of concern including health and safety considerations, employee recruitment and retention and environmental issues, with controls put in place as necessary. The Group is pro-active in working with all suppliers to ensure compliance with the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) Code of Business Practices to include child and forced labour, working conditions, hours of work, pay, non-discrimination and health and safety. Compliance is managed through an annual audit process. Hornby Group believes that protection of the environment is an integral part of good practice and that it satisfies itself that all of its operations are conducted with reasonable proper regard for the environment. It is committed to maintaining, and wherever possible improving, the quality of this environment both for the people who work in the Group, and for the wider community now and in the future. The Group seeks to make the most effective and efficient use of all resources, encouraging all members of the Group to develop an ecologically sound approach to their work." There are no easy answers to issues surrounding these international trade deals and it's not something an individual retailer or customer has any influence on. Everyone stopping buying toys en masse would not be helpful to workers who would then be out of a job, for example. However customers can be reassured that when buying from manufacturers such as Hornby, that Hornby are taking their environmental responsibilities seriously and are making their best efforts to adhere to sound social and ecological practices.