Virgin Media O2 expands its O2 Recycle initiative so the public can trade in gaming systems from PlayStation, Xbox, Oculus and Nintendo for cash.
People can send their unwanted tech devices to O2 Recycle for free where the device will be repaired, refurbished, resold, or recycled – with zero parts going to landfill. Gamers will receive up to £283 for a PlayStation 5, up to £110 for a Nintendo Switch (OLED) and up to £238 for an Xbox Series X, as long as the devices work fully.
The initiative, which aims to tackle e-waste and promote the circular economy, is also now accepting MacBooks, alongside smartphones, tablets, wearables and earbuds. Anyone can use O2 Recycle regardless of their mobile network.
Virgin Media O2 said its recent research showed 58% of gamers were unaware that consoles could be recycled. While 83% said they’re holding onto old consoles, despite not planning to use them, and 42% said they don’t use their old gaming device because it’s broken or missing a part.
The research also showed 75% of respondents said they would recycle their console if they were paid for it and 51% would do so to help prevent e-waste and protect the planet. Virgin Media O2 said it surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,024 members of the UK general public online between 29.02.24 and 08.03.24 to gather the results.
We’ve powered up O2 Recycle to cover consoles and MacBooks.
Since its launch in 2009, Virgin Media said O2 Recycle has recycled almost four million devices and paid out £341 million to consumers and, last year, the initiative processed almost 180,000 devices, which were recycled or resold as “like new” products to customers.
The scheme is part of Virgin Media O2’s sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan and its goal is to encourage consumers to carry out 10 million “circular actions” by the end of 2025. The company has also partnered with environmental charity, Hubbub, on its Community Calling programme, which it said has re-homed more than 17,000 smartphones.
Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2 commented: “We’ve powered up O2 Recycle to cover consoles and MacBooks, making it even easier for people to trade in their unwanted tech for cash and to protect the planet by saving their device from landfill.
“With almost four million devices recycled and £340 million paid out, O2 Recycle is leading the UK’s circular economy and giving tech a second life so it can be used again and again.”
