People who recycle their phones through O2 Recycle will now be helping both the environment and young people in society, as well making some money for themselves. From today O2 will give all profits it makes from O2 Recycle to its Think Big youth programme, dedicated to backing young people who are making a difference in their communities.

Launched last October, O2 Recycle makes it easy for people to recycle their old handsets in return for cash by either visiting the website or going into any O2 store. Customers upgrading or joining O2 can also trade in their old mobile through O2 Recycle whilst in store and in some instances get their cash payment immediately.

Research commissioned by O2 shows that two thirds (66%) of Brits now regularly recycle their mobile phones*. O2 Recycle offers some of the most competitive prices in the market for old mobiles and has now paid out over £10m to customers since launch.

O2 Recycle helps to avoid unwanted handsets ending up in landfill. All products received through the service are collected and handled through partner Redeem’s Falkirk distribution centre before being processed and sold on to global markets. Additionally, all waste residues and non-workable products received are sent for responsible materials recycling.

O2 has previously given £1 for every recycled device to Think Big and will now increase this donation to include all of the profit it makes through the service while ensuring customers continue to get a competitive price for their old phone. Think Big for young people is an ambitious social action programme designed to counter the negative view of young people in society by supporting and championing those that are making a difference. Through Think Big they can apply for cash awards, training and mentoring to help support initiatives they are running to support their local communities. Over 35 youth charities have signed up to partner with the programme since it launched in March.

‘Phone recycling is a fast growing part of the market but it’s getting more and more grubby with some ‘cash for gold’ type operations,’ said Sally Cowdry, UK Marketing Director at O2. ‘We know many customers are looking for an ethical alternative with reassurances that their handsets are being responsibly recycled. By sending their old mobiles to O2 Recycle customers can get this reassurance as well as now helping to raise money for young people. What’s more, there is no compromise on the price we pay out for their device.’

O2 Recycle is one of a number of initiatives which sit under O2’s Think Big sustainability programme which is enabling customers to make a real difference for people and the planet. In August O2 launched Eco rating, the UK’s first green rating scheme for mobile phones to give its customers the information they need to make a sustainable choice when buying a mobile phone. For more information, visit www.o2.co.uk/thinkbig  

To find out how much an old phone might be worth, visit www.o2recycle.co.uk. O2 Recycle is operated by leading phone recycling specialist, Redeem plc.

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