The average UK household is hiding nearly 30 unused tech items in drawers and cupboards, making electronic waste the fastest‑growing waste type on the planet.
Because April is Earth Month, we have the perfect opportunity to rethink our tech habits and make choices that help cut down on e-waste. At iD Mobile and Currys, we’re committed to keeping tech off the scrapheap. From tackling the UK’s growing e‑waste problem to empowering communities with accessible technology, we work hard to put tech in the hands of people who really need it.
In this article, we’ll walk you through our biggest recycling initiatives, show you how your old gadgets could put money back in your pocket, and share simple day‑to‑day habits that make a real difference. Plus, to celebrate Earth Month, we are giving you the chance to win a brand-new MacBook Neo! Let's dive in…
Leading the charge against e‑waste.
Currys is the UK’s number one tech recycler, processing an average of 60,000 tonnes of unwanted tech every year. That means your old laptops, phones, printers, cables and kitchen appliances are kept out of landfill and given a more responsible second life.
A big part of that effort happens at our Newark repair labs — one of Europe's largest tech repair and refurbishment facilities. Here, devices are assessed and either:
- expertly refurbished for resale
- harvested for spare parts to help repair other gadgets
- dismantled so components and raw materials can be recycled responsibly
This circular approach keeps valuable materials in use for longer and helps us cut out needless e-waste.
And they’re not stopping there. Currys has set a bold target: Net Zero emissions across the entire business by 2040. It’s a long-term commitment, but one they’re already taking big steps towards.
Turning trash into cash.
One of the simplest ways to do your bit? Clear out that cupboard of forgotten tech.
With the hugely popular Cash for Trash scheme, you can bring any unwanted item with a plug or battery to a Currys store and walk away with at least a £5 voucher. It doesn’t need to work - we’ll take it and recycle it properly.
If you’ve got an old phone, the iD Mobile Trade‑In programme gives you even more value. When you trade in with us:
- Working phones are refurbished and given a second life
- Non‑repairable devices are responsibly recycled
- Toxic materials stay out of landfill
Empowering communities and bridging the digital divide.
In early 2026 we launched the Hidden Treasure Hunt, a nationwide competition for UK schoolchildren. The mission? Hunt down forgotten e‑waste at home for the chance to win a share of £20,000 in tech vouchers for their school. It’s a fun, hands‑on way to teach the next generation about recycling and responsible tech use.
We’re also proud of ongoing partnerships like Recycle for Good, where donated and refurbished corporate laptops are passed to charities, schools and families who need them most. These devices help bridge the digital divide - all while reducing the amount of tech heading to the bin.
The power of choosing refurbished.
If your phone is ready for an upgrade this Earth Month, choosing refurbished is one of the most impactful decisions you can make.
Here’s why:
- It feels great. Keeping existing devices in circulation massively cuts down e‑waste – which we can all feel positive about.
- You’ll save money. Refurbished phones are significantly cheaper than buying brand new.
- Quality is guaranteed. Every iD Mobile refurbished phone is professionally tested, checked and refreshed by experts.
- You get peace of mind. All refurbished iD Mobile phones include a 12‑month warranty as standard.
You get the tech you love — without worrying about waste.
How you can help!
Big impact starts with small changes. Here are some everyday habits that help cut your digital carbon footprint:
- Repair over replace
If your phone screen cracks or the battery is fading fast, you don’t need a whole new device. Currys offers expert repairs that extend your phone's life and reduce waste.
- Optimise your battery health
Features like Optimised Battery Charging (iPhone) or Adaptive Battery (Android) help slow down long‑term battery wear, meaning your device lasts longer.
- Declutter the cloud
Massive data centres use huge amounts of energy. Regularly deleting unused files, old emails, and duplicate photos reduces your personal data footprint.
- Cut vampire power
Energy‑monitoring smart plugs automatically switch off chargers, TVs or gaming gear when they’re not in use - stopping silent energy drain.
Giveaway Time!
Currys processes huge amounts of e‑waste every year and is firmly on the path to Net Zero by 2040. Meanwhile, our trade‑in and refurbished phone programmes make it rewarding and easy to recycle your old tech responsibly. So why not have a rummage through your drawers this Earth Month? Dig out those forgotten cables or the phone you upgraded three handsets ago, and bring them to your local Currys store.
To reward you for thinking green, we want to make sure one lucky iD Community member gets their hands on some incredible new tech. That is why we are incredibly excited to give away a brand-new MacBook Neo! It is the perfect prize for Earth Month, built with a 100% recycled aluminium enclosure and highly efficient performance to help keep its carbon footprint incredibly low. To enter, just answer the question below:
If you were our lucky winner, which colour would you choose?
- Silver
- Blush
- Citrus
- Indigo
We will randomly select one winner from the replies. Entries close at 23:59 on 15th April 2026. We will announce the lucky winner shortly after. We will notify the winner by direct message here on the Community, so please keep an eye on your inbox. Good luck!
Once you've entered, why not try your luck again? We're also giving away a fantastic Kärcher to help with your spring cleaning. Enter our Kärcher giveaway right here before it closes on 3rd Apri!
Terms & Conditions
- To enter this promotion, participants must register with the iD Mobile Community and provide an answer to the question on the corresponding topic thread.
- No purchase necessary.
- The closing date for entries is 23:59 on 15th April 2026. One prize will be awarded: one MacBook Neo.
- This promotion is open to all UK residents aged over 18 years (except for employees and their families of the Promoter and their group of companies, agents (including affiliates), suppliers and anyone connected with this promotion).
- Only 1 entry per person is permitted, duplicate entries will not be entered into the draw.
- The Promoter may, in its absolute discretion, disqualify any entries which it feels do not comply with these terms and conditions or where any form of bad faith is suspected.
- The entry must be submitted personally by the entrant. Entries by third parties, collective entries or multiple entries will be disqualified.
- The Promoter accepts no responsibility for lost or incomplete entries.
- One winner will be selected at random by an independent person from all correct and eligible entries received. The winner will be notified by email or by private message on the Community platform and will be asked to reply within 7 days of receipt of the notification. If the Promoter does not receive confirmation from the winner that they accept the prize by this time, the Promoter reserves the right to withdraw the offer/prize. The prize will be delivered within 30 days of acceptance.
- The prize is non-transferable and non-refundable and cannot be exchanged by a winner for an alternative. The Promoter reserves the right to replace the prize with a similar value prize.
- The decision of the Promoter is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome of this promotion. We make no representation or warranty in relation to the prizes provided and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall have no liability to you in relation to any prize, its fitness for purpose, merchantability or otherwise.
- Upon request, the initials and county of the winner will be available by sending an SAE to the Promoter at the address below. Such requests should not be sent until 28 days after the draw.
- If you are the winner of this promotion, you will be asked to agree to participate in any publicity arising from the prize draw which the Promoter may reasonably require. The Promoter will also have the right to use each winner’s surname and country of residence for advertising and promotional purposes in connection with the promotion in all media without further notice and without the need to make payment to the winners.
- iD Mobile takes your privacy and security of your personal data seriously. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect and use personal information in accordance with current UK data protection legislation. Our privacy policy can be found at idmobile.co.uk/legal/privacy-and-cookies.
- By entering this promotion, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
- English law applies to these terms and conditions. Promoter: iD Mobile, Currys Group Limited, 1 PORTAL WAY, London, W3 6RS.
- iD Mobile hold the right to change the start and/or end date of the competition at any given time.
