Brits are being urged to check their drawers for old tech, as O2 Recycle offers up to £541 in cash or credit for recycling devices such as phones, tablets, consoles, and laptops. The initiative not only puts money back in people's pockets but also benefits the environment by recirculating precious metals found inside electronics.
How Much Can You Earn?
According to Gina Mutonono, senior manager for mobile repair, recycling, and sustainability at Virgin Media O2, millions of people across the UK are holding onto old smartphones and gadgets without realising their potential value. She told the Daily Express: "The average Brit could earn up to £541 from unwanted tech – including smartphones, tablets, earbuds and games consoles – sitting unused in drawers, cupboards and attics."
Popular models fetch significant amounts. For example, the iPhone 14 can get up to £171, the iPhone 13 up to £131, the iPhone 14 Pro Max up to £268, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max up to £342, according to the O2 Recycle website.
Five Easy Steps to Recycle
O2 Recycle outlines a simple five-step process on its website. First, choose which device to send in. The company accepts not just phones, but also tablets, laptops, consoles, watches, and earbuds. Second, get a quote for the device and confirm if the amount is acceptable. Third, back up your data, charge the device, and remove any locks. Fourth, post the device to O2 Recycle using your own packaging or a free pack provided by the telecoms giant. Alternatively, you can take it to a local O2 shop for a quote and onward processing. Fifth, once O2 receives the device, it ensures all personal data is wiped before reselling or recycling.
Devices with Damage Accepted
Devices with cracks, scratches, or even major faults can still be traded in, though damage affects the trade-in value. O2 Recycle says that even if a device cannot be reused, efforts will be made to extract and repurpose every valuable material. Controllers, docking stations, and power leads for laptops and consoles must be included, but other devices can be traded in without chargers or accessories.
What Happens to Your Device?
Once O2 receives a device and wipes all personal data, it is re-sold by O2 or via its partner, the global tech support company Likewize. For devices that cannot be reused, O2 Recycle sends them to Relove Technology, which extracts anything of value for repurposing. Quotes are locked in for seven days; if a device arrives after this period, an updated price is given.
Accepted Brands and Models
Accepted tech includes Samsung Galaxy S series devices as far back as the S8, A series models including Flip and Fold variants, Google Pixel and Pixel Fold devices as far back as the Pixel 3, and most iPhones including Plus, Pro, and Pro Max models as far back as the iPhone 7.
Ms Mutonono added: "By making it easier to pass on unwanted tech, O2 Recycle helps people put money back in their pockets while giving more technology a second life where it can be used again by someone else."
O2 Recycle reports that it has saved over four million devices from becoming waste and helped Brits earn extra cash.
