Currys will recycle any unsellable donated tech from Cancer Research UK charity shops, free of charge, following a new partnership between the retailers.
This collaboration will allow Cancer Research UK to drop off any unwanted tech from its charity shops at Currys’ delivery depots up and down the UK.
Cancer Research UK receives lots of generous donations, but where tech donations may be too old or not fit to sell, the charity will be able to recycle unsellable items via Currys and have peace of mind that they are being recycled responsibly.
Once dropped off, the unwanted tech will enter the Currys network and be sent to its central sorting facility in Newark, Nottinghamshire, where it will be assessed, then either refurbished, repaired, have the parts harvested or be responsibly recycled. If the latter, this volume will contribute to Currys’ overall WEEE collection volumes and used to offset its own producer obligation.
Julie Byard, director of trading at Cancer Research UK, said: “We receive a great deal of high value donations across our shops thanks to our supporters – and we appreciate everyone who donates. Where we can’t sell donated tech, Currys’ support is incredibly helpful. It’s great to know that their well-established tech recycling operation ensures we can recycle responsibly.”
Recycling over 50,000 tonnes of e-waste each year, Currys is the nation’s number one retail tech recycler and on an important mission to give technology a longer life. This has never been more important, as the UK lags behind other nations in-e-Waste recycling.
Paula Coughlan, chief people, sustainability and communications officer at Currys, added: “We are delighted to be able to support Cancer Research UK with this initiative – ensuring that any unsellable tech donations are responsibly recycled. It not only makes sure that the old and unwanted tech is safely recycled, but it also helps Cancer Research UK, an incredibly charity whose work is so important.”
Currys already works with the British Heart Foundation on a similar recycling offering.
The tech retailer’s recycling and refurbishment schemes are covered in detail in the Sustainability 2024 report. It is one of five retailer profiles in the report with B&Q, Coachtopia, Holland & Barrett and This is Unfolded looked at.
The Sustainability market report brings together the information from RetailX’s ecommerce market reports and performance-based ranking reports with consumer sentiment and behaviour data from ConsumerX to give a rounded view of the current state of sustainability communications and services in retail and ecommerce globally.
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