Brits warned they’re throwing away more than £200 worth of unused phones & gadgets – even old headphones could earn £50
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BRITS are losing out on more than £200 worth of unused gadgets they could easily sell, new research reveals. The average UK household is throwing away or sitting on over £218 of unwanted mobile phones and other gizmos they no longer use. Almost a third (29 per cent) of Brits aren’t aware their unused devices can make them money, according to a study by Virgin Media O2 of 2,002 people.
![[Close-up of a light blue Samsung Galaxy S20 showcasing its triple-lens rear camera.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/vlcsnap-2020-02-11-09h22m35s429-1.png?strip=all&w=960)
And only one in ten actually recycle their unwanted smartphones. Leaving your phone in a draw for months or years on end is also a huge waste, with devices depreciating in value by the day. Brits, on average, typically take up to three months to trade in their old phone, the poll shows.
O2 Recycle - which is available to anyone, not just O2 customers - offers £136.46 for smartphones on average. But the scheme also accepts other gadgets you may not expect such as earbuds. On average, O2 Recycle pays out £53.52. You can also get cash for old consoles, laptops, tablets and wearables.
"Sell your unwanted mobile, laptop or tech as soon as you’re done with it," said Regina Mutonono from O2 Recycle. "The sooner you sell it, the more money you’re likely to get for it. "You should ensure that the SIM is taken out prior to selling the handset (or memory card where applicable), but don’t worry about your personal data being accessible, as O2 Recycle will wipe data from all devices for you.".
