Brits warned they’re throwing away more than £200 worth of unused phones & gadgets – even old headphones could earn £50
BRITS are losing out on more than £200 worth of unused gadgets they could easily sell, new research reveals.
The average UK household is throwing away or sitting on over £218 of unwanted mobile phones and other gizmos they no longer use.
Almost a third (29 per cent) of Brits aren’t aware their unused devices can make them money, according to a study by Virgin Media O2 of 2,002 people.
And only one in ten actually recycle their unwanted smartphones.
Leaving your phone in a draw for months or years on end is also a huge waste, with devices depreciating in value by the day.
Brits, on average, typically take up to three months to trade in their old phone, the poll shows.
O2 Recycle – which is available to anyone, not just O2 customers – offers £136.46 for smartphones on average.
But the scheme also accepts other gadgets you may not expect such as earbuds.
On average, O2 Recycle pays out £53.52.
You can also get cash for old consoles, laptops, tablets and wearables.
“Sell your unwanted mobile, laptop or tech as soon as you’re done with it,” said Regina Mutonono from O2 Recycle.
“The sooner you sell it, the more money you’re likely to get for it.
“You should ensure that the SIM is taken out prior to selling the handset (or memory card where applicable), but don’t worry about your personal data being accessible, as O2 Recycle will wipe data from all devices for you.”
Get money off a new phone
Many retailers and smartphone makers now allow you to exchange your old handset for a discount on a new one.
These can sometimes be better value than accepting cash upfront, so it’s always worth checking before.
Similarly, there are many phone recycling firms about – be sure to look around and compare for the best price.
You could even sell it yourself on eBay – have a look how others have performed, though of course there is no guarentee on the end price.