E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to any discarded electrical or electronic device – from old phones and games consoles to chargers and cables.
Despite growing awareness of the issue, behaviour hasn’t caught up. Our research found that 77% of UK adults are concerned about e-waste yet only 11% recycle their old smartphones.
Instead, many devices are simply held onto. Old phones sit in drawers, unused cables pile up and outdated tech is kept ‘just in case’. The problem is that the longer devices are left unused, the less likely they are to be reused or resold, meaning they’re far more likely to end up in landfill.
Understanding what counts as e-waste is the first step. Knowing what to do with it is the next step. As part of our Tech Out of Landfill campaign, we’re breaking down what e-waste means, why it’s growing and how small actions can make a measurable difference.
E-Waste Definition (Simple Explanation)
E-waste, short for electronic waste, is any electrical device that is no longer wanted, used or working.
Everything from everyday items like smartphones, laptops and chargers to larger electronics such as TVs and household appliances count as e-waste. Importantly, a device doesn’t have to be broken to be classed as e-waste. If it’s no longer being used, it still counts.
This matters because many devices classed as e-waste aren’t at the end of their life. They’re simply unused or forgotten. And as more of these devices build up in the home, they become far less likely to be reused, resold or recycled, increasing the chances they’ll eventually go to waste.
What Does WEEE Mean?
WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. It’s the official term used to describe electronic products that have reached the end of their life and need to be disposed of properly.
In the UK, WEEE regulations are designed to reduce the amount of electronic waste going to landfill by making sure devices are collected, treated and recycled safely. Retailers and manufacturers have a responsibility to help facilitate this – whether that’s through take-back schemes, recycling points or ensuring products are handled in line with environmental standards.
For consumers, it simply means that electrical items shouldn’t be thrown in general waste and should instead be recycled through appropriate channels.
Even with these regulations in place, many devices never make it to proper recycling routes. As we’ve seen, a large proportion are kept at home or forgotten about entirely, highlighting the gap between awareness of the issue and what happens.
Types of E-Waste
E-waste covers a wide range of everyday electronics – many of which are easy to overlook. Understanding the different types helps highlight just how much unused tech can build up over time.
Small Devices
This includes smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and other portable tech. These are among the most common forms of e-waste and the most likely to be kept rather than recycled. Many people hold onto old devices as backups or for sentimental reasons, even when they’re no longer being used.
Large Electronics
Larger devices like TVs, desktop computers and monitors are also classed as e-waste. These are less likely to be stored long-term due to their size, but can still sit unused for extended periods, especially if they’re difficult to dispose of or replace.
Household Appliances
Appliances such as microwaves, kettles, washing machines and vacuum cleaners all fall under e-waste. These are more likely to be recycled through official channels but can still contribute to landfill if not handled correctly.
Accessories
Chargers, cables and batteries are often forgotten about, despite being found in almost every home. They’re kept ‘just in case’, even when they’re no longer compatible with current devices. While small, these items still count as e-waste, and most can be recycled or repurposed if handled correctly.
How Much E-Waste Do We Have?
More than a third of UK adults keep old smartphones unused at home, creating a growing stockpile of ‘hidden’ e-waste.
While some devices are passed on, with 20% of people giving their old phones away, this often only delays the outcome rather than solving it. Devices can continue to move from one owner to another without ever being properly reused, resold or recycled.
The result is a build-up of unused tech sitting idle in homes across the UK. And the longer these devices are left untouched, the less likely they are to re-enter circulation.
E-waste isn’t just what gets thrown away; it’s what gets left behind.
Why People Don’t Act on E-Waste
While 77% of people say they’re concerned about e-waste, only 11% recycle their old smartphones and 39% hold onto them.
So what’s causing the gap?
In more cases, it comes down to simple, everyday behaviours. Devices are kept as backups, saved for ‘just in case’ or put aside with the intention of dealing with them later. Over time, they’re forgotten about entirely.
There are also practical barriers. Our research shows that 48% of people would be more likely to recycle their devices if there was a financial incentive, while others cite concerns around data security and convenience. In other words, it’s not a lack of awareness; it’s a lack of clear, immediate reasons to act.
The result is a growing backlog of unused tech. And the longer devices are left sitting idle, the less likely they are to be reused or resold, turning potential value into waste.
Who is Contributing Most to E-Waste?
Younger adults are the most likely to hold onto unused devices, with 61% of 18–24-year-olds keeping old phones, compared to higher recycling rates among over-65s (23%).
At first glance, this might seem surprising. Younger generations are often seen as more environmentally aware, but when it comes to e-waste, that concern doesn’t always translate into action.
Instead, younger users are more likely to upgrade devices regularly while holding onto old ones as backups or for future use. Over time, this leads to a build-up of unused tech that never re-enters circulation.
Older age groups, on the other hand, are less likely to accumulate multiple devices are more likely to recycle what they no longer need.
The result is a clear, counterintuitive pattern: those who express the most concern about e-waste are often the ones contributing most to its growth, highlighting again that the issue isn’t just awareness, but behaviour.
FAQ: Is This Considered E-Waste?
Is a phone e-waste?
Any unused or unwanted phone is considered e-waste even if it still works. Yet our research shows 39% of people keep old phones, rather than recycling or reselling them.
Is a laptop e-waste?
Laptops count as e-waste once they’re no longer used. Like phones, they often still hold value and can be reused or refurbished instead of being left unused.
Is a TV e-waste?
TVs are classed as e-waste and should be recycled through proper channels due to the materials they contain, including potentially hazardous components.
Are batteries e-waste?
Batteries are a form of e-waste and require specialist recycling because they can contain hazardous materials and pose environmental risks if disposed of incorrectly.
Are cables e-waste?
Cables are e-waste and are fully recyclable. However, they’re often overlooked and kept in drawers despite no longer being used.
Are chargers e-waste?
Chargers count as e-waste, particularly when they’re no longer compatible with current devices. They’re among the most forgotten items in UK homes.
Are light bulbs e-waste?
Some are. Energy-saving bulbs like LEDs and CFLs are considered e-waste and should be recycled properly, whereas traditional incandescent bulbs are not typically classed the same way.
Are household appliances e-waste?
Appliances such as microwaves, kettles, washing machines and vacuum cleaners are all classed as e-waste and fall under WEEE regulations for proper disposal and recycling.
What is E-Recycling?
E-recycling is the process of collecting and processing old or unwanted electronic devices so that their materials, such as metals, plastics and components, can be recovered and reused.
While recycling plays an important role in reducing waste, it’s not always the most effective first step. In many cases, devices can still be used in their current form or restored to working condition. That’s why it helps to think in terms of a simple hierarchy:
- Reuse: passing a device on or continuing to use it
- Refurbish: repairing or restoring it for further use
- Recycle: breaking it down to recover raw materials
This matters because once a device is recycled, its original form and much of its value is lost. Extending its life through reuse or refurbishment typically has a greater environmental and practical benefit.
How Much E-Waste Are You Sitting On?
The average household is sitting on multiple unused devices. How many do you have?
If you’re like the 39% of people holding onto old smartphones, there’s a good chance you’ve got more value (and more impact) sitting in drawers than you realise.
Instead of guessing, you can get a clearer picture in seconds. Use our e-waste calculator to see how your unused tech could impact the environment and what difference it could make by putting it back into use.
What Should You Do with E-Waste?
Sell or Trade In
For many people, the biggest motivation is financial. With 48% saying they’d be more likely to act with a financial incentive, selling or trading in your device is often the most effective first step. It puts money back in your pocket while ensuring the device can be reused.
Reuse or Pass It On
If a device still works, consider passing it on to family, friends or donating it. Extending its life is one of the simplest ways to reduce e-waste without needing to recycle it.
Recycle Responsibly
If a device is no longer usable, it should be recycled through proper WEEE-compliant channels. This ensures valuable materials are recovered and harmful components don’t end up in landfill.
The best option depends on the condition and value of your device. But in most cases, doing something is far better than doing nothing.
Keeping Tech Out of Our Landfill: Why It Matters
E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams but it’s also one of the most preventable.
The challenge isn’t just about recycling more. It’s about changing what happens to devices before they ever reach that stage. Whether it’s selling an old phone, passing on a working laptop or recycling responsibly, small decisions can have a lasting impact.
That’s the thinking behind our Tech Out of Our Landfill (TOOL) campaign, making it easier for people to act and keep valuable tech in use for longer.
Because in the end, reducing e-waste is a behaviour issue. And small changes in what we do with our old devices can make a significant difference.