A new study shows that Brits could earn serious money by trading in old tech products. 

The research, conducted by OKdo, found that Brits are hoarding  up to £1.68 billion in old tech products, with an average household having 60 unused tech items. 

As part of the study, OKdo surveyed 2000 UK residents in October of 2021, and found that two-thirds have at least one old charger in their home. 

Around half of respondents were found to have at least one old laptop rummaging in their cupboards while 51% revealed they had an old smartphone they no longer used. 

Making it Worth Your While

There is a combined economic and environmental benefit to recycling old and unused tech items.

Brits could get anywhere from between £100 to £7,750 for all their old tech, according to Mazuma estimates. 

Smartphones, for example, range from £5 to £470 per item, with iPhones topping at £860.

Windows-enabled laptops go from anywhere between £5 to £165, and Macs can earn around £360. 

In addition, old games consoles could fetch £135, while an iPad could cost up to £610. 

Prices typically range with how recent a product is, as well as how much functionality it still holds.

Around one-third of Brits admit that the tech they have is not in working condition, with 10% knowing their tech is fully non-functional. 

Environmental Impact

A reason for ‘tech hoarding’ may simply be a lack of awareness, research shows. One-third (33%) of Brits say they don’t know how to dispose of, or recycle, their tech – and this is causing a major loss of resources.

The World Economic forum values the world’s estimated  e-waste at £46 billion. Continually extracting new materials for tech is also detrimental to the environment, the study says, adding further value to old, recyclable items. 

E-waste itself is harmful if not dealt with correctly, as toxic substances can infiltrate soil and water resources. 

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23.9 kilos of e-waste is generated per person in the UK, according to the Environmental Audit Committee, making this a major concern for the health of the UK’s natural environment. 

To combat this issue, charities like the British Heart Foundation and Weeecharity offer services to resell or even refurbish old technology. 

“Our research has shown there’s still much to be done about raising awareness on the environmental impact of e-waste across the nation,” Richard Curtain, SVP of Technology at OKdo concluded. 

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