Brits hoarding old technology is behind UK’s growing electronic waste epidemic, Currys research
Brits are sitting on a growing pile of valuable unused tech, often because they can’t bear to part with it, according to research by Currys.
The retailer surveyed 2,000 people for this. It found that more than 880 million unused items nationwide are sitting in UK homes, with an average of 30 per household. And among the most prolific offenders are mobile phones, with four in five Brits holding onto a defunct device, and one in three still have their very first - a quarter of which are old Nokias.
And while 20% of Brits say they’re oversentimental about their old phones, the study revealed a number of reasons for not recycling mobile devices, including: 27% keep devices ‘just in case’; 23% don’t know how to recycle; 23% worry about data security; 33% haven’t got round to it.
To remind customers just how easy it is to recycle old tech, and even earn money in the process, Currys has launched Track the Tech, a new video showing exactly what happens to your devices after drop-off, all while helping to solve the UK’s e-waste crisis. There are some promising signs that customers are increasingly waking up to the problem of e-waste. The research reveals that they are much more likely to recycle old electricals like TVs and kitchen appliances.
Despite clear awareness of the benefits, only a third of the 2,000 people asked said they had recycled tech in the past year, even though:
81% knowing batteries in household waste can cause fires;
77% understanding recycling reduces the need to mine for new raw materials;
64% knowing that old tech can earn them some money.
The findings also highlight the opportunity in refurbished tech. While 41% of consumers have bought refurbished, uptake varies significantly by age - 50% of 18–34-year-olds compared with 29% of over-55s - despite price being the biggest driver overall of tech purchases.
Behind the Track the Tech curtain sits Currys’ repair and recycling operation in Newark, Nottinghamshire, where devices are processed at scale. Last year, 5.5 million items of e-waste were collected for reuse and recycling across the group. Customers can also use Currys monetary incentive-based Cash for Trash and trade-in offers, alongside a refurbished range available online, in-store and via the retailer’s eBay outlet, backed by a 12-month guarantee.
“People understand why recycling tech matters, but too often, that’s where it stops. Track the Tech shows exactly what happens once a device is dropped off in-store, as it enters the Currys network and is placed in the hands of our tech experts. The film gives customers confidence that their data is secure and that their devices are put to good use. Our ambition is to give tech its longest life, making it simple, secure, worthwhile and reassuring for customers to pass it on,” says Paula Coughlan, Chief People, Communications and Sustainability Officer at Currys.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
