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Research: Just 1 in 10 Brits recycle smartphones

January 17, 2025

Research from Virgin Media O2 has revealed the average UK household is sat on over £218 (€258) worth of unwanted mobile phones, but only one in ten (11 per cent) Brits has traded in a device in the last five years. In response, Virgin Media O2 is encouraging them to trade in their old smartphones via O2 Recycle and give their finances and the environment a boost this January, whilst preventing electronic waste ending up in landfill.

Following a festive period in which many Brits were gifted new devices from loved ones, the research shows that nearly 10 million Brits aren’t aware their old tech can make them money. In addition, 35% don’t know where to trade in a mobile phone for cash per cent

The research also found that a quarter of Brits (24 per cent) incorrectly believe that throwing away an old mobile phone in a bin, local tip or a skip is ‘responsibly’ disposing.

Six in ten Millennials claimed to consider themselves eco-conscious, whereas less than half (45 per cent) of Gen Z felt the same – with less than one in ten (8 per cent) of Gen Z respondents having recycled an old device in the last five years.

When it comes to trading in their old tech, the research reveals that Brits, on average, typically take up to three months to trade in their old phone. Yet, O2 Recycle experts warn that unused tech – gathering dust in drawers and cupboards – is depreciating in value, and waiting means Brits could be missing out on a substantial sum of cash, versus if they traded in straight away.

O2 Recycle is open to anyone – regardless of their mobile operator – and since its launch in 2009, has recycled over four million devices and paid over £350 million to customers. In 2024 the programme processed over 100,000 devices which were saved from landfill by being resold as refurbished devices to customers or recycled.

Categories: Articles, Consumer Behaviour, Mobile, Research

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