Virgin Media O2 pays GBP £6.6m to recycle 85,500 devices
Virgin Media O2 gave more than 85,500 devices a second life in 2025 through its O2 Recycle trade-in scheme, paying customers £6.6 million for unwanted tech.
It released the figures alongside research pointing to a growing stock of unused smartphones in UK homes, alongside persistent concerns about data security and repair options. The study found 79% of people keep at least one old smartphone in a drawer, while 40% hold on to more than one.
Device turnover is also running ahead of what many consumers say they want. The research showed 77% of respondents believe smartphones should stay in use for as long as possible. Yet 43% said they have replaced a smartphone that could have been repaired.
Early replacement
Rising handset prices and greater attention on sustainability have increased scrutiny of how long people keep devices, and what happens to phones when they are upgraded. Industry analysts and policymakers have highlighted repairability, product lifespan and recycling as part of a wider debate about electronic waste and critical materials.
The survey suggests practical barriers still shape behaviour, with data security a dominant concern. Seven in 10 respondents said they worry their personal data could be accessed if they pass on or recycle an old smartphone. A further 30% said they do not know where to get a device reliably repaired.
Those concerns affect the resale and refurbishment market, where supply depends on devices moving from homes into recycling and trade-in channels. The research found 76% of people would be more likely to recycle an old device if they could make money from it. It also found 68% would be more likely to buy a refurbished device if they had greater confidence in its quality.
Reuse process
Virgin Media O2 outlined what happens to devices submitted through O2 Recycle. Phones and other tech sent to the service go through secure data wiping using manufacturer-approved software. They are then tested before being repaired, refurbished or recycled.
The company said the process sends no parts to landfill. It also described the checks used for devices sold through its Like New refurbished range, saying they undergo 40 quality checks covering condition and battery life, and come with a warranty of up to three years.
O2 Recycle launched in 2009 and has since processed more than four million devices, paying customers more than £356 million, according to Virgin Media O2.
Sustainability focus
Telecoms operators have increasingly positioned trade-in, refurbishment and repair services as part of wider sustainability strategies. They have also faced growing expectations to address electronic waste as customers upgrade to newer handsets and add connected devices.
Virgin Media O2 Chief Sustainability Officer Dana Haidan linked the case for longer device use to the emissions associated with manufacturing.
"Around 80% of a device's carbon footprint happens before the box is even opened, so keeping devices for longer is a massive win for the planet," said Haidan.
"Every device that's repaired, reused or recycled is one less piece of technology that could become electronic waste. Yet millions of smartphones with years of life left in them are still sitting unused in drawers or being thrown away," she added.
"We're making it easier than ever to keep devices in circulation, whether that's through repairing a phone through O2 Insure, recycling unwanted tech through O2 Recycle, or choosing a refurbished device from our Like New range," Haidan said.
"Small choices like these can make a big difference in reducing e-waste and getting more value from the technology we already own," she added.
The research was conducted through an online survey of 1,007 people and was designed to be nationally representative by age, gender and region.
Virgin Media O2 said it will continue promoting repair, reuse and recycling services alongside its broader network and connectivity roll-outs, including its target for 5G coverage across all populated areas by the end of 2030.