The average UK adult has at least two unused mobile phones
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The amount is staggering. Over 100 million mobile phones – worth an estimated £14.1 billion – are sitting around unused in homes across the UK.
With at least two unused phones lying unused, and the average UK adult having thrown a further two in the bin, that equates to around £532 worth of unused or thrown away devices.
Men are found to hold on to or throw away more old phones – the average UK male has three unused handsets at home and has thrown away a further two. Women have thrown away two old phones on average, and have a further two lying around unused at home according to research by mobile network Giffgaff.
Some of these phones could have been sold for cash or donated to causes that can use them – only just over half (57%) of old phones that thrown away were actually broken or damaged. While a third (36%) of UK adults have never traded in or recycled an old phone for cash, and one in ten (11%) didn’t realise that throwing away old mobile phones was bad for the environment.
When it comes to factors most likely to encourage people to buy or sell an old phone, money is unsurprisingly the main motivating factor, with almost half (48%) claiming they would be most likely to do it to save or make money.
Recycling a broken phone is a more sustainable choice than throwing it in the bin as it helps cut down on landfill – these phones are either taken apart by recyclers, with their parts then recycled or are repaired and refurbished and given a new home.
“Our research shows that people are sitting on a significant amount of cash, at a time when finances are being hit hard. I would urge everyone to do what they can to get the maximum lifetime out of their phone. It’s good for your pocket and importantly the environment. And when you’re done with your phone, recycling it and putting it back into the ecosystem is great for helping people…” said Ash Schofield, CEO of giffgaff.
“This March is B Corp Month, and as a business we’re proud of our B Corp status. One of the most significant ways that giffgaff shares the principles of being a B Corp with customers is through its refurbished phone offering. Refurbished phones are a cost effective and more sustainable option for consumers – and we’re proud to have played a big part in raising that awareness.”
If you want to sell your phone, you normally have three options: sell it privately, sell it on a marketplace or trade it in. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages and you can read more about the best places to sell your old phones in our selling your old phone for cash guide.
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