83% of the UK is concerned about e-waste
To celebrate Recycle Week and launch our Refurbished hub, we at giffgaff wanted to find out what our community and the wider public’s thoughts were when it came to all things refurbished. We asked One Poll to help us with some research and the results were enlightening.
Our study of 2,000 randomly selected people in the UK found that we are certainly an environmentally concerned bunch. 83% of those who took part in our research are concerned about the environmental impact of e-waste, and 79% routinely try and find a use for old objects. Nice one.
In fact, 80% of adults ‘hate’ seeing perfectly good household items simply thrown away.
Bookcases are the most upcycled item in the UK, followed by plant pots, shelving and bedside tables, according to our research.
1. What item(s) have you recycled to date?
We also found 79% of people take the step of fixing up old tech items including phones, watches and old televisions.
A third revealed that they actively seek out items, new and old, to work their magic on. This includes old jars, mirrors and cushions, and they have given a new lease of life to 7 items on average, to date. Top job.
For 53% the appeal is transforming something old into something ‘new’, as they adore the process of bringing items back to life. And 49% said they like upcycling, because it saves them money. Get in.
2. What motivated you to give upcycling a go?
As part of our survey, we asked what motivated people most to recycle their technology. It turns out the main driver for restoring old gadgets and gizmos is limiting e-waste. A whopping 83% of the people who took part in our study admitted they’re concerned about the environmental impact of disposing of old tech.
A further reason for the nation’s fascination with upcycling was revealed as half of those we polled believe upcycled items are more aesthetically appealing than items typically found in stores or online.
While two thirds are of the opinion that these revitalised objects have more character than furniture or other homeware likely to be found on the high street.
Other popular items to bring back from the brink include: armchairs and sofas, crates, bikes, and light fittings. While ceramics, hat stands and old sinks have also been given a new lease of life.
It also emerged 42% want to expand their repertoire by being able to fix-up a greater range of old tech.
3. Which of the following items have you fixed/had fixed when they are broken?
At the moment, when a gadget breaks or stops working completely, a third of people will arrange for someone else to restore it. However nearly 23% will simply throw the object away and buy a new one. Personally, we’d recommend checking out our refurbished phone selection.
And despite the desire to reduce e-waste, if a gizmo is still working but no longer used, 14% will pop it in the bin.
However, as our results show (see graph 4), the majority (60%) of us will get an item fixed, give the item away, or sell it. But now we have an alternative solution for this, via giffgaff recycle. You can sell your old phone for cash, we’ll refurbish it, giving it a new lease of life. And you get money in your pocket. What’s not to love?
4. When a tech item breaks/stops working what do you tend to do with the item?
Feeling inspired to start a refurbished project? Check out our Recycle Week Content over on the Refurbished hub, for lots of hints and tips on all things recycling, refurbished and upcycling.
Be sure to share your top refurbishing and recycling tips over on our Twitter, Instagram, or on our community post