What To Do With Old Film & Digital Cameras In The UK

Wondering what to do with any old working or broken film or digital cameras in the UK? The good news is there’s no need to bin them – here are heaps of ideas to keep them out of landfill.

If you’ve got old photography gear gathering dust in a drawer, you might be wondering how to responsibly recycle it or pass it on. Whether it’s a film camera from the pre-digital days or an outdated or broken digital model, there are plenty of ways to give it a second life in the UK – or at least ensure it’s disposed of responsibly.

What To Do With Old Film & Digital Cameras In The UK

Sell It

Selling your camera to a photography enthusiast is often the best way to give new life to a much-loved camera. Here are some ideas of where to sell, alongside some handy tips:

Film Cameras

If your film camera is still functional, then selling it is a great option. Film photography has made a comeback, and some vintage cameras can be highly sought after by collectors.

If you have good quality lenses on your film camera, then its also worth trying to sell these. They can sometimes be adapted for use on modern digital cameras with the right mount, and are often prized by collectors.

And even if your old film camera isn’t working, they can also be sought after by those with an eye for interiors. Some people like to display them on a shelf, so if you’ve got a particularly nice model then it’s always worth trying to sell it before doing anything else with it.

Digital Cameras

If you have an old digital camera, then selling it can also be an option. Some digital models, even if they are older and aren’t particularly high-spec, are still sought out by beginners. They are often looking out for a cheap piece of equipment to start out with, so provided you price it accordingly then it may well be snapped up.

Where To Sell Your Photography Gear

Websites like eBay, Gumtree, Vinted and Facebook Marketplace are all good places to list both film and digital models. Just do some research first to see what similar makes and models are selling for and price it at a similar level. Make sure you point out any flaws, such as any scratches on the lenses.

For higher-end or professional cameras, such as SLRs or DSLRs, specialist UK retailers such as MPB, WEX Photo Video, and London Camera Exchange all buy and sell second-hand gear online. Some also offer part-exchange, if you’re looking to upgrade your kit.

Alternatively, many local photography shops buy old cameras – particularly higher-end and vintage ones. An old digital point-and-shoot model from 2005, not so much. Look online to find your nearest one, and call or email ahead to see if they might be potentially interested in your make and model, before you make a trip.

Donate It

If you’re struggling to find a buyer, or don’t want to sell it, then you might want to consider donating your old working camera to a good cause. Here are some ideas of where to donate your old photography gear in the UK:

The Camera Amnesty At Shutterhub

Shutter Hub’s Camera Amnesty is a great way to give old photography equipment a new lease of life while supporting people facing challenges such as homelessness, poverty, and social injustice. Since 2017, this initiative has provided cameras and creative opportunities to individuals and communities worldwide, empowering them to tell their often unseen stories through photography.

Shutterhub take anything that could be of use to a photographer, and accept donations by post. This includes digital and film cameras of any age, including D/SLRs and point and shoot cameras, smartphones, tablets, laptops, film, memory cards, tripods, filters, video cameras and filming equipment, film scanners, darkroom equipment, photography books and more.

Where an item can’t be used, rather than dispose of it, Shutterhub will attempt to sell it on, and any income from this will go straight back into Camera Amnesty Projects funds.

The Camera Donation Project

If you live in the northeast of England, or are willing to post your old equipment, then The Camera Donation Project is another one to check out.

Set up by local photographer Rob Halliburton, the project takes in donated cameras. These are then checked over and given to schools and community groups in the Tynedale area of Northumberland to help spread the joy of photography.

Any type of film or digital camera will be considered – whether that’s a digital point and shoot, a DSLR, a digital video camera, or a film stills cameras. Any photography related equipment, including camera bags, is also accepted.

The Disabled Photographers’ Society

The Disabled Photographers’ Society is a registered charity formed to help make photography accessible to those with disabilities. They will take any unwanted photography equipment, books or software – and these will all be used to help disabled people embrace the joy of taking photos.

Charity Shops

Many charity shops will take old working models in good condition, and may even take working vintage film cameras to resell and turn into profits to support their work. Call ahead to make sure they will take your donation.

Schools & Other Photography Groups

Schools, community groups, and local photography clubs might also appreciate a donation of working photography gear, particularly if they run photography classes or workshops. It doesn’t hurt to send an email asking if they might want your unwanted equipment.

Repair It

If your camera is broken, then all is not lost. Repairing it might be easier than you think. Independent camera repair shops can often work magic on both film and digital models. Have a search online for your nearest repair shop – most will be able to give you an upfront repair cost so there are no surprises at the end.

Repurpose It

Old film cameras can be a thing of beauty, and they may hold sentimental value. Displaying it on a shelf is a good way to preserve a special memory – particularly if it once belonged to a loved one.

Alternatively, if you’re into DIY, you might enjoy dismantling a camera for its intricate gears and mechanisms, which can be repurposed into jewellery or other craft projects. Pinterest is the place to go for inspiration on this.

Recycle It

For those beyond the point of reselling, donation, repair, or reuse then recycling is the next best option. Digital cameras contain electronic components, so they should never go in your household bin. Thankfully, there are lots of places to recycle your old cameras and photography gear in the UK to help keep them out of landfill:

Charity Recycling Services

One of the best ways to recycle an old camera is to donate it to a charity recycling service. Many UK charities accept donations of digital and film cameras online. These are then sold for recycling – with any money raised going back into the charity. This makes it a good option for broken cameras. Charities that offer this recycling service include:

• Macmillan Cancer Support
• Alzheimer’s Society
• Brain Tumor Research
• Friends of Water Search & Rescue Team

Your Local Household Waste Recycling Centre

Whilst you can’t recycle digital or film cameras in your household bins, you can take old digital ones to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), where they can be properly processed. Make sure you put them in the correct area though. Look for the small electrical items recycling area, so that they can be correctly recycled.

Electrical Retailer Take-Back Schemes

Thanks to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations, all electrical retailers must provide free recycling schemes for broken and unwanted devices – including digital cameras.

This ensures that old electronics are disposed of responsibly, reducing landfill waste and preventing harmful materials from polluting the environment. It also helps recover valuable materials like metals and plastics, cutting down on resource extraction.

Retailers that offer free take-back recycling schemes include:

• Currys
• John Lewis (including Waitrose)
• B&Q
• Argos
• Sainsbury’s
• Tesco
• Asda

You will have to visit your store – I don’t think any offer recycling services by post. But the good news is that in most cases, the item doesn’t have to have been purchased from the retailer you’re recycling your camera with. You can take it to whichever retailer is closest to you.

The Bottom Line

There’s never any need for a camera to go in the bin or go to landfill. There are heaps of options to give your old photography gear a second life – whether it’s an old film camera or a digital one. Whether you choose to sell it, donate it, repair it, repurpose it or recycle it – there are a host of ways to sustainably pass it on.

More Recycling Resources

Having a clear out? I’ve got heaps of resources to help avoid sending things to landfill:

• What to do with old glasses
• What to do with old videotapes
• What to do with old Tupperware
• What to do with old backpacks
• How to recycle old keys