Brits could earn more than £600 with their unwanted electricals, according to data from Virgin Media O2.

The findings come ahead of Global Recycling Day (March 18th) which reveals Brits’ bad habits when disposing of their unused tech. Some 92 million electrical devices – including phones, tablets, smartwatches and gaming consoles – are estimated to have been binned in the last five years.

Despite almost two thirds (65 per cent) of people saying they understand the environmental impact of throwing electronics in the bin, 79 per cent admit to discarding devices along with their general rubbish.

With Brits potentially missing out on average £638 per household from recycling unused gadgets stashed in their homes, Virgin Media O2 is calling on Brits to trade their trash for cash through O2 Recycle. The scheme is open to anyone regardless of their mobile operator, and accepts smartphones, tablets, wearables, earbuds, MacBooks and consoles.

The study also reveals Brits are a nation of hoarders, with almost three quarters (74 per cent) saying they’ve held onto unwanted tech for at least five years or more.

However, 81 per cent say they’d clear out their tech and recycle their unwanted devices if it could earn them cash, while a further 72 per cent would donate their devices to someone in need.

With more than half of Brits (57 per cent) preparing to carry out a spring clean, Virgin Media O2 is encouraging the nation to ‘do one thing’ with their abandoned tech to prevent it from ending up as electronic waste in landfill, where it could have a harmful impact on the planet.

Nicola Green from Virgin Media O2 said: “Most homes have a drawer of doom that’s crammed with dozens of unused devices gathering dust, that could otherwise earn Brits cash or be reused by someone else. That’s why Virgin Media O2 is leading the way in tackling e-waste and helping people pass on their unwanted tech to help protect the planet. This includes O2 Recycle where Brits can make money for their old electronics, Community Calling where they can donate a smartphone to someone in need or taking a small device to an O2 store where it’ll be sent off for recycling”.

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Categories: Articles, Consumer Behaviour, Equipment, Research

Tags: iphone, recycle, tablet, Virgin Media O2