Currys says it has processed 750k tonnes of e-waste since 2011, recycling more than 15m individual technology products as a result. The retailer is now extending its in-store recycling incentives to online customers.
The multichannel technology retailer, ranked Top100 in RXUK Top500 research, says it has collected 60,000 tonnes of redundant technology in the last year alone in the UK and Ireland – equivalent to 1.3m individual items. It says the level of recycling is driven by its Cash for Trash scheme that promises customers at least £5 in store credit when they drop off unwanted technology items. In the last year, it has paid out £10.5m to customers who brought in 80,000 items for recycling.
Now customers in the Uk and Ireland can spend those vouchers online, as well as receiving vouchers when Currys delivers a new appliance and recycles redundant products. Currys says research, carried out for it by Research Without Barriers, suggests that more than 50% of UK shoppers bin their unwanted technology products when they buy a new device, even though 41% want to be more environmentally aware in 2023.
Chris Brown, senior sustainability operations manager at Currys, says: “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.
“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.”
