- Technology retailer has collected 749,908 tonnes of unwanted tech across the UK and Ireland since 2011, the equivalent of almost 10 million washing machines
- Items spared dusty deaths in cupboard drawers and are instead recycled, harvested for parts or provided to charities
- Cash for Trash’ initiative returns to guarantee customers £5 for any ‘tech tat’
New data made available by Currys has revealed that the company has collected almost 750,000 tonnes of unwanted tech since 2011, recycling over 15 million individual tech products in the process.
In the last year, Currys collected almost 60,000 tonnes of redundant technology across the UK and Ireland (UK&I), meaning 1.3 million individual units which were either bound for landfill or a life of collecting dust in cupboard drawers were proactively recycled.
Key to these figures is the brand’s hugely popular ‘Cash for Trash’ initiative which guarantees customers at least £5 store credit when they drop-off any unwanted tech.
Today, Currys is announcing that ‘Cash for Trash’ is returning across the UK&I This means any customer can head into their local store and hand in any tech, from keyboards to kettles, to receive a £5.00 voucher that they can then use in-store or online*. For the first time, customers will also soon be able to receive ‘Cash for Trash’ vouchers at home, exchanged when Currys delivers a new appliance and recycles any redundant products.*
The announcement is part of Currys’ commitment to giving tech a longer life and playing a leading role in the fight against e-waste in the UK&I. When customers recycle their tech through Currys, the items are either broken down and recycled, harvested for parts (which contribute to the repairs of other items), or given to charities which will match functioning products with recipients who do not have access to their own essential items, such as fridges and freezers.
Whilst thousands of customers are recycling their low-value tech products, many are also trading-in more expensive items through Currys. In the past twelve months, the tech retailer has processed almost 80,000 trade-ins, paying out £10.5 million to customers for items that could be refurbished and resold, all of which helps keep tech in use and out of landfill.
Nevertheless, there is still work to do when it comes to helping the public recycle all their unwanted tech. New research undertaken by Currys found that over 50% of Brits bin their redundant tech products when they buy upgraded devices, despite 41% of us actively looking to be more environmentally minded in 2023.**
“We are seeing great results from both our recycling and trade-in initiatives, with customers bringing in their unwanted tech in great numbers. Whether it a be a high-value item, such as a mobile phone or tablet, or unwanted ‘tech tat’, recycling or trading-in tech with Currys is a convenient, financially incentivised way for the public to cut down on their e-waste.
Chris Brown Senior Sustainability Operations Manager at Currys
That said, despite great progress, the e-waste problem isn’t going to go away overnight. Which is why we’re bringing back our popular Cash for Trash initiative and calling on Brits to step up their tech recycling efforts in 2023, for the benefit of planet and pockets alike.”
For more information on Currys Cash for Trash scheme please contact the Currys Press Office team at [email protected]
* Full terms and conditions for Currys Cash for Trash scheme can be found here.
** Research was carried out online by Research Without Barriers – RWB. All surveys were conducted between 9th December 2022 and 13th December 2022. The sample comprised 2,004 UK adults. All research conducted adheres to the UK Market Research Society (MRS) code of conduct (2019). RWB is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and complies with the DPA (2018).
About Long Live Your Tech/Cash for Trash
Currys existing Long Live Your Tech! initiative is available to customers across the UK and includes:
- Recycling - A convenient way to help customers get rid of their old tech and ensure it’s being legitimately disposed of in a safe and responsible way. Customers can have old items collected when they have a new product delivered (charges apply) or can simply drop off any tech for free instore. All items are professionally wiped, so customers can be sure their data and security are safe
- Trade-in – Trade an old device in when upgrading to receive amazing savings and monetary incentives off newer pieces of tech
- Repair – Before customers label something as rubbish, they can have one of Currys many experts see if its repairable, even if you didn’t purchase the tech with Currys
- Care & Repair – A seven-day fix-it-fast promise, to ensure your tech stays in tip top condition, helping you keep hold of it for longer.
About Currys plc
Currys plc is a leading omnichannel retailer of technology products and services, operating online and through 826 stores in 8 countries. We Help Everyone Enjoy Amazing Technology, however they choose to shop with us.
In the UK & Ireland we trade as Currys; in the Nordics under the Elkjøp brand and as Kotsovolos in Greece. In each of these markets we are the market leader, employing 30,000 capable and committed colleagues. Our full range of services and support makes it easy for our customers to discover, choose, afford and enjoy the right technology for them, throughout their lives. The Group’s operations include state-of-the-art repair facilities in Newark, UK, a sourcing office in Hong Kong and an extensive distribution network, enabling fast and efficient delivery to stores and homes.
Our vision, we help everyone enjoy amazing technology, has a powerful social purpose at its heart. We believe in the power of technology to improve lives, help people stay connected, productive, healthy, and entertained. We’re here to help everyone enjoy those benefits and with our scale and expertise, we are uniquely placed to do so.
We’re a leader in giving technology a longer life through repair, recycling and reuse. We’re reducing our impact on the environment in our operations and our wider value chain and we will achieve net zero emissions by 2040. We offer customers products that help them save energy, reduce waste and save water, and we partner with charitable organisations to bring the benefits of amazing technology to those who might otherwise be excluded.