Giffgaff, the UK mobile network running on O2’s infrastructure and part of the Telefónica group, has introduced a new incentive aimed at encouraging more customers to recycle their old mobile phones. For a limited period, the provider’s recycling scheme is offering an additional £40 bonus to those who trade in their existing handset when purchasing a “Refurbished Like New” phone from giffgaff. The initiative is designed to make parting with unused devices more appealing, while supporting the uptake of refurbished technology.

The mobile operator’s move comes in response to the vast number of dormant handsets across the country, with estimates suggesting as many as 108 million old phones, worth over £10 billion, are gathering dust in British homes. Giffgaff’s CEO, Ash Schofield, highlighted the financial and environmental benefits of trading in unused smartphones, noting that the latest offer gives members even more reason to participate. Schofield emphasised that, by taking part, customers not only make savings but also help to tackle the growing issue of electronic waste.

While selling an old phone privately, such as through auction sites, might sometimes yield a higher return, the extra time and effort involved, alongside associated fees, can be off-putting for many. Giffgaff’s enhanced trade-in deal seeks to provide a simpler, more convenient route for consumers to unlock value from their unused devices, all while promoting more sustainable consumption.