Virgin Media O2 has committed to donating up to 12,000 pre-owned smartphones to UK charities in 2025.
Virgin Media O2 is sourcing the smartphones from customer returns and its O2 Recycle service.
The company says the initiative is part of its commitment to supporting the circular economy and addressing digital exclusion.
Virgin Media O2 says its donation programme will provide around 1,000 pre-owned devices per month to Hubbub’s Community Calling programme and Good Things Foundation’s National Device Bank.
The two programmes will then distribute the refurbished and data-wiped tech to other UK charities and community organisations.
Virgin Media O2 says its National Databank and Good Things Foundation will provide free O2 mobile data to the devices.
Nicola Green from Virgin Media O2 said: “Our work with Good Things Foundation and Hubbub is getting devices into the hands of people who need it most, where they can access essential services like applying for work or carrying out online training, and ensures they can stay in touch with loved ones.”
I am thrilled to see Virgin Media O2 setting an example as to how we can come together as a country and reuse tech that would otherwise be collecting dust to help others.
O2 Recycle is a scheme run by Virgin Media O2 where people send their unwanted tech devices for free, so they can be repaired, refurbished, resold, or recycled – with a commitment that zero parts are sent to landfill.
The scheme is open to anyone, regardless of their mobile operator. Virgin Media O2 says that, since its launch in 2009, the scheme has recycled over four million devices and paid over £350 million to consumers.
The company says O2 Recycle processed more than 100,000 devices, which were resold as refurbished devices to customers or recycled in 2024.
Last year, Virgin Media O2 expanded O2 Recycle to accept gaming systems from PlayStation, Xbox, Oculus and Nintendo for cash.
Gamers can 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.
Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, commented: “I am thrilled to see Virgin Media O2 setting an example as to how we can come together as a country and reuse tech that would otherwise be collecting dust to help others.”
