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Why It’s Time for a Tech Clearout: The Clock’s Ticking on Your Old Phone
Do you have old tech gathering dust at home? You’re not alone.
According to a survey of 1,002 UK adults by Back Market, every single person in the UK has at least one unused tech device lying around the house, and over half of us (55%) have 3 or more.
Smartphones are the devices that top the list, with almost three-quarters of us (72%) admitting to having an old phone lying around.
So, why are we hanging on to old tech? Survey results reveal:
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40% don’t know how to dispose of them properly.
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51% of people keep old devices because they think they might need them later.
But here’s the catch: many of these “just in case” backups are about to become useless.
With the upcoming O2 3G phase-out beginning in April, which will render many older devices unusable, that “emergency phone” in your drawer might not be as helpful as you thought. In fact, this move by O2 is predicted to generate £13.7 million worth of e-waste.
The UK’s E-Waste Problem
While our survey revealed that 85% of Brits say environmentally responsible disposal is important, a lack of awareness about what to actually do with their old tech holds many back.
The country already produces 9kg of e-waste per person annually, with only 31.2% of that being recycled according to Business Waste.
Our survey showed that, unfortunately, people are just as likely to recycle their devices (38%) as they are to store old devices in drawers or boxes (38%), contributing to a ‘drawer of doom’ culture instead of finding sustainable solutions. The longer they sit unused, the less likely they are to be refurbished or resold.
How to dispose of your old phone responsibly
According to our survey, 68% of Brits said they would be more likely to sell/recycle/refurbish/trade-in their old tech if they knew how much it was worth.
Luke Forshaw, spokesperson for Back Market, shares his expert advice on how to dispose of your old phone in a way that’s both environmentally friendly and financially rewarding:
“Most of us have an old phone lying around somewhere, whether it’s a backup that never gets used or a relic from years past. But with the UK’s 3G network shutting down, many of these devices are about to become completely obsolete. Now’s the perfect time to clear out old tech and make sure it’s recycled properly.”
1. Don’t Just Bin It – Here’s Why
“Throwing an old phone in the bin might seem like the quickest solution, but it’s the worst thing you can do. Phones contain valuable materials like gold, silver, and copper that can be reused, as well as toxic components that should never end up in landfills. Instead, consider recycling or refurbishing options that ensure these materials are recovered responsibly.”
2. Find Out If Your Phone Still Has Value
“Many people don’t realise that even old or slightly damaged phones can still hold value. The second-hand tech market is thriving, and if your device is still in working order, it could be refurbished and resold instead of being scrapped. Back Market’s trade-in service can help you quickly check what your device is worth.”
3. Use Certified Recycling Services
“If your phone is too old or damaged to sell, look for certified recycling programmes. Networks like O2, EE, and Vodafone have take-back schemes, and charities often accept donations of old phones. At Back Market, we work with professional refurbishers who ensure devices are either given a second life or recycled responsibly.”
4. Wipe Your Data First
“Before you hand over your phone, make sure you’ve backed up and wiped all personal data. The easiest way is to do a factory reset, but also remember to remove any SD cards and sign out of accounts like iCloud or Google to protect your privacy.”
5. Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
“With the 3G network shutting down, millions of old phones will soon be completely useless. If you’ve been keeping one ‘just in case’, now’s the time to act. Recycling it now means it can still be repurposed or used for spare parts, rather than becoming another piece of electronic waste.”
6. Make Your Old Tech Work for You (and the Planet)
“Clearing out your old tech doesn’t just free up space – it helps the environment and could even put some money back in your pocket. At Back Market, we make it easy to give your old devices a new lease of life, whether that’s through resale, refurbishment, or responsible recycling. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.”
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