Brits could earn more than £600 from their unwanted electrical devices, Virgin Media O2 has revealed.

A study conducted by Virgin Media O2 revealed almost three quarters (74%) of Brits hold onto unwanted tech for at least five years or more.

However, 81% say they’d clear out their tech and recycle their unwanted devices if it could earn them cash, while a further 72% would donate their devices to someone in need.

How to save money

Despite these figures it's estimated around 92 million electrical devices – including phones, tablets, smartwatches and gaming consoles - were thrown in the bin over the last five years.

Now, ahead of Global Recycling Day (March 18), Virgin Media O2 is urging Brits to reconsider throwing their unwanted electrical devices away as they could be missing out on the chance to earn £638.

How much you could earn from unwanted electrical devices

The amount you could make for you unwanted/unused electrical devices (on average), according to Virgin Media O2, is:

  • Mobile phones - £136.46 (estimated 48.3 million in UK households)
  • Tablets - £144.52 (26.7 million)
  • Smartwatches - £81.36 (14.8 million)
  • Hearables - £53.52 (72.7 million)
  • Gaming consoles - £80.16 (16.2 million)
  • MacBooks - 6.2 million (£205.17)

British households could earn more than £600 for their unwanted electrical devices. British households could earn more than £600 for their unwanted electrical devices. (Image: Virgin Media O2) Virgin Media O2 is calling on Brits to "trade their trash for cash" through it's O2 Recycle scheme.

The scheme is open to anyone regardless of their mobile operator, and accepts smartphones, tablets, wearables, earbuds, MacBooks and consoles.

The items you should collect to make the most money

How to claim cash back via O2 Recycle

To claim money for your old device via O2 Recycle, all you have to do is follow these five simple steps:

  1. Find your device (using the O2 website - a link to which can be found above).
  2. Place your order.
  3. Get everything ready - delete any personal data from your device, remove your sim/memory card.
  4. Send it to O2 - package it along with your order summary and take it to the Post Office (O2 says to send high value items via recorded delivery).
  5. Get paid "fast" - once O2 has received your device, payment will reach your bank account within 3-5 working days.

Some devices could earn you up to up to £891.

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Nicola Green from Virgin Media O2 said: “Most homes have a drawer of doom that’s crammed with dozens of unused devices gathering dust, that could otherwise earn Brits cash or be reused by someone else.

“That’s why Virgin Media O2 is leading the way in tackling e-waste and helping people pass on their unwanted tech to help protect the planet.

“This includes O2 Recycle where Brits can make money for their old electronics, Community Calling where they can donate a smartphone to someone in need or taking a small device to an O2 store where it’ll be sent off for recycling."