O2 Recycle saves more than 250,000 devices from landfill

• To mark World Recycling Day 2023, Virgin Media O2 reveals how O2 Recycle is helping to tackle e-waste across the UK
• Last year, O2 Recycle saved more than 250,000 devices from landfill, with more than 92% of the handsets refurbished and resold
• Since launch, the scheme has paid out more than £320 million, and sustainably recycled 3.8 million devices – with zero going to landfill

London, UK – 16 March 2023: To mark World Recycling Day 2023, Virgin Media O2 is announcing that – through its pioneering O2 Recycle scheme – more than 250,000 devices were saved from landfill in 2022.

The scheme encourages customers – regardless of their network – to trade in unwanted smartphones, tablets, and accessories in exchange for a cash-back boost. O2 Recycle supports businesses to recycle their e-waste, too.

In 2022, O2 Recycle paid out more than £36 million to consumers for their devices, processing on average more than 950 handsets per working day.

Of these devices, 92% were data wiped, refurbished, and resold as ‘like new’ products to customers – supporting the circular economy, with the remainder broken down for raw materials. None of the tech which goes through O2 Recycle ends up in landfill.

The UK currently produces more electrical waste per person than any other country in the world (after Norway) and, according to Virgin Media O2 research there are more than 17.5 million unused phones and tablets stashed away in UK homes.

That’s why O2 Recycle is a key part of Virgin Media O2’s Better Connections Plan – the company’s sustainability strategy. It is one of the ways the company is helping to tackle e-waste, supporting people to carry out 10 million circular actions by the end of 2025.  Last year, Virgin Media O2 recycled, resold, and repaired 2.4 million devices – including handsets and customer equipment such as routers and set-top boxes.

Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:  

“With more than 3.8 million devices sustainably recycled since 2009, O2 Recycle is playing a leading role in tackling e-waste across the UK.

“O2 Recycle is a win-win for people and the planet: it’s preventing devices from ending up in landfill, and it’s a simple and easy way for consumers to dispose of their unwanted tech and get rewarded for doing so – with £320 million paid out to date.

“It’s a key part of our sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan where we’re helping people to live greener lives, and supporting the circular economy so devices can be used again and again.”

Since it launched, O2 Recycle has paid out more than £320 million, and sustainably recycled 3.8 million devices, where 92% have been refurbished and re-used – with zero going to landfill.

To find out more about trading in your old devices through O2 Recycle please visit o2recycle.co.uk or call the dedicated business team on 01603 269950.

ENDS