Have some old tech lying around you don’t need? Whether it’s an old gadget that’s been replaced by a newer model – or a gift that didn’t quite land – make sure you get rid of it responsibly.
Here in the UK, loads more waste is created around Christmas. After all, everyone’s swapping out their old gadgets for the next big thing. And if you’re binning any unloved tech made from plastic, it can seriously impact the planet. It could end up in landfill or oceans where it can’t break down - which is no good for anyone.
But it doesn’t have to be like that. Here are a few ways to make sure your old tech finds a new home…
Recycling it the right way
If you’ve got some old tech you don’t want, you can recycle it with us. And if you do it in one of our stores, we’ll give you at least £5 to put towards something new through our Cash for Trash scheme. It pays to recycle!
If you’re already visiting one of our shops for something else, bring your old tech along too. Then we can recycle it for you - we’ve even got special bins for it. Or if it’s too heavy or chunky for you to get it in your car, then let us know. We’ll collect it from your house for a small fee, while you sit back and put your feet up.
We can even take your old appliances away when we deliver your new one. From washing machines to fridges and TVs, we’ll dispose of them for you. Just add the service when you place your order and we’ll handle the rest.
But why do we do this? Well, recycling stops harmful chemicals and metals from polluting soil and water. Plus, it keeps junk away from animal habitats. It’s easy too. So, it’s a no-brainer really.
We’re really proud to be the number 1 tech recycler in the whole of the UK. In fact, we safely recycle over 65,000 tonnes of waste electronics every year. You can trust us to get rid of your tech properly, that’s for sure. Find out exactly what happens to your tech when you recycle it with us.
Our war on waste regularly makes the news. And it’s even got the stamp of approval from the PM - so we must be doing something right!
Trade it in for something new
This is a cross between recycling and selling, and it’s the best of both worlds. We offer trade-in for certain bits of tech - from phones to smart watches, and laptops to tablets. Check out our trade-in page to see if your gadget fits the bill.
If it does, we’ll value it online or in-store - then give you a gift card in return. You can then spend that on the tech you really want. And, of course, before we do anything with your tech, we’ll delete all your personal data from it for free.
Where does your tech end up though? We usually send it to developing countries. That way it can be used by people who really need it.
How does it work?
A great example of this is our next level gaming console trade-in service.
Want to upgrade your setup? We’ll give you cash for any of your old consoles – whether it’s a Nintendo Switch, or an old PS4. Then, you can use that dough and put it towards a game changing PS5, Xbox Series X/Series S, or components for your new gaming PC. Nice.
Just fill out the details about your console using our free online calculator. When you’re done, tap confirm and it’ll run the numbers. Then you’ll see how much we’ll pay you for it.
Like the figure? You can either finish up your trade-in online and post your console over, or organise for us to pick it up. Or just do it face to face instead. Pop into your local store, hand over your console, and we’ll pay you then and there. It’s that easy.
Tech tip: Make sure you’ve backed up any old saves. We completely wipe every bit of tech we get our hands on, so double (and triple check) they’re stored away on an external hard drive. Because if they’re not, they’ll be gone forever!
Sell, sell, sell
If you want to make a quick quid or two, this is the way to do it. Find an online selling store and list it for the price you want. There are loads of sites to pick from. Take a look at Facebook Marketplace, Shopify, eBay and Gumtree for starters.
Each has different pros and cons. Have a little think and do some research before you choose where to sell your stuff. Consider things like:
Listing prices
Delivery costs
How in-demand the stuff you’re selling is
Find someone else to love it
Even if it’s not your kind of thing, someone else might enjoy that bit of tech. So why not gift it to them? Just as long as it’s not the person who gave it to you originally. That could be a bit awkward…
But if you can’t think of anyone straight away, you could save it for a rainy day. After all, sometimes there are those moments when you forget to buy a present. Now you’re sorted.
One more thing - don’t forget about recycling your tech packaging either. And if you want to find out more, head to ShopLive. Our in-store experts can answer your questions on all things trade-in and recycling. There’s a bunch of tech made from recycled materials they can recommend too.
