A study has revealed the top unused electrical items that Brits are holding onto rather than discarding – with almost 15 million unused mobile phones gathering dust across UK households.
Other top tech items that are sitting in storage in British homes include over seven million DVD players, six million TVs – and even 4.6 million retro VCR players.
In fact, a whopping 85 million old tech items in total are sitting in households across the country – including USB sticks, laptops, iPods, headphones, and microwaves.
A poll of 2,000 adults found that 39 per cent currently have unused tech in their homes – with almost a quarter (23 per cent) hanging onto old mobile phones, while 16 per cent are storing old DVD players, and 13 per cent old TVs.
Of those polled, one in ten (nine per cent) admit they simply don't know how to get rid of these items – although 11 per cent still hope to get them fixed, while 17 per cent are keeping them as spares, in case their current item breaks.
The research was commissioned by Virgin Media O2, which has teamed up with environmental charity, Hubbub, to launch the Time After Time e-waste fund for community groups and organisations to run projects that tackle e-waste and promote circularity.
It also revealed the top reasons that electrical devices aren't used anymore – including the items being outdated (15 per cent), no longer having a need (14 per cent), and being broken or faulty (12 per cent).
But these gadgets are typically held onto for six years – and kept in cupboards (30 per cent), attics (25 per cent), and garages (22 per cent).
Despite this, almost a third (31 per cent) claim to be concerned about the impact of e-waste on the planet – although 25 per cent don't know where their nearest electronic recycle point is.
Nicola Green, from Virgin Media O2, said: “It’s staggering how many old, unused, and outdated gadgets like phones, VCR players, and USB sticks, are gathering dust in drawers, lofts, and garages across the country.
“We know that people are worried about their old tech ending up in landfill, and the impact it’s having on the planet.
“That’s why we’ve launched the £500,000 Time After Time fund with Hubbub, to fund eco projects that tackle e-waste and help old devices to be used again and again.”
The study also found more than half of adults (51 per cent) don't think enough is being done to tackle the problem of e-waste, while one in five (21 per cent) feel guilty for not recycling old, unused electrical items.
Nearly four in ten (38 per cent) have taken an old or unused device to the tip, while 32 per cent have thrown them away with household rubbish.
And 28 per cent plan to donate goods to charity, with a quarter (24 per cent) hoping to sell them when they get around to sorting out their unused electrical items.
But more than half (53 per cent) still have personal data on unused electrical devices – including photos (52 per cent), emails (40 per cent), and work-related documents (26 per cent).
And 44 per cent don't know how to wipe such data from items they no longer use.
As a result, one in three (34 per cent) worry about their personal information being stolen or shared if they were to recycle a device.
It also emerged those polled, via OnePoll, would be more encouraged to recycle tech if it was easier (46 per cent), if they knew where to take them (43 per cent), and if they could do so from their own home (30 per cent).
And three-quarters (73 per cent) would help a local community group by recycling their old electrical items if they could.
But more than half (56 per cent) argued there is not enough information widely available about how to dispose of e-waste in an ethical way.
Gavin Ellis, co-founder of Hubbub, said: “E-waste is a pressing environmental issue, and we’re encouraging organisations to apply for this funding with projects that remove barriers and help people to extend the life of their old electricals by repairing, passing them on, or recycling them.
“Organisations can apply for grants between £10,000 to £75,000.
“We’re urging people to spread the word about this funding which could have a significant impact.
“If you know a charity, social enterprise, local authority, or community organisation running e-waste initiatives, then do point them in our direction to apply for this financial support.”
TOP 20 UNUSED ELECTRICAL ITEMS IN UK HOUSEHOLDS:
- Mobile phones – 14,701,968
- DVD players – 7,114,752
- TVs – 6,142,032
- USB sticks – 5,641,776
- Radios – 4,724,640
- Headphones – 4,669,056
- Printers – 4,585,680
- VCR players – 4,585,680
- Laptops – 4,446,720
- Microwaves – 4,446,720
- iPods – 3,501,792
- Cameras – 3,335,040
- Stereo players – 3,112,704
- Landline phones – 3,112,704
- Tablets/iPads – 2,918,160
- Computer keyboards – 2,834,784
- Cassette players/portable CD players – 2,723,616
- Computer mouse – 2,779,200
- Vacuums – 2,501,280
- Computer monitors – 1,945,440
