Nearly half of Brits (46%) admit to holding on to old, broken possessions they can no longer use – with over a million rooms in households across the UK having been completely taken over by clutter, a study has found.
A third, of the 2,000 adults polled, are keeping hold of old games consoles, while 49% have old mobile phones lying around – that they couldn't use even if they wanted to.
And two in five actively avoid clearing out their homes – with 38% of those holding on to defunct items, like electricals, admitting they do so for up to a year.
As a result, one in ten have a room in their home that they don't go in, as it is filled with junk – with 32% admitting they “don't know where to start” when it comes to moving these old items out of their homes.
But 32% are worried about their e-waste ending up in landfill – as half of those polled (49%) say they don't know where to go to “properly” recycle such items.
However, help is at hand, as Virgin Media O2 and Hubbub, who teamed up to commission the research, have launched the 2023 “Time After Time” fund – which is awarding a share of £500,000 to projects tackling e-waste and supporting digital inclusion in the UK.
Dana Haidan, chief sustainability officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “It’s so easy to accrue items – before you know it you have drawers full of random cables, old phones, and all manner of belongings.
“It’s no wonder people can feel unsure of how to get rid of their old tech, as they’re worried that if it’s thrown away, it’ll end up in landfill as e-waste, harming the environment.
“That’s why we’re launching 2023’s Time After Time fund, to help community groups and charities to run projects that both cut e-waste and rehome unwanted devices with people in need – which is a win-win for communities and the planet.”
Almost a quarter (23%) of all those polled have put unused or broken devices in the bin, with 57% who have done so claiming this is the most convenient way to get rid of such items – while 23% think this is how you are supposed to dispose of old tech.
However, on the flipside, 26% are concerned their unwanted devices could harm nature and the planet if discarded this way.
This might explain why 53% revealed they’d be more likely to dispose of e-waste “properly” if there were convenient and accessible recycling options available.
And 62% say they would be more likely to donate unwanted gadgets to someone in need – rather than throw them away.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found that 82% believe their community would be a better place to live if there were projects which prevented e-waste or fly-tipping in their area.
George Clarke, who is on the judging panel for the 2023 Time After Time fund, which is accepting applications until Friday, 20th October, said: “Sustainability and community are two causes that I’m incredibly passionate about, which is why it’s an absolute pleasure to be part of this year’s judging panel.
“It’s a fantastic initiative both tackling the nation’s growing e-waste problem, and helping those in need. I’m really looking forward to seeing the brilliant and inspiring ideas the applicants come up with.”
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