Virgin Media O2 is boosting its O2 Recycle initiative, as new figures show that UK businesses are holding onto almost 12 million unused mobile phones and tablets.

The O2 Recycle for Business service has been relaunched to help companies of all sizes trade in their old technology regardless of their mobile provider.

O2 Recycle has already processed more than 3.8 million business and consumer devices since its launch in 2009, and last year paid out more than £670,000 to businesses.

Devices are data wiped and 92 per cent are either recycled or refurbished and resold as ‘like new’ products to customers – supporting the circular economy, with the remainder broken down for raw materials. None of the products ends up in a landfill.

The service also supports employees working remotely who have many unused devices hidden in drawers, garages or lofts, as businesses can send them a QR code so they can also post the items to O2 Recycle for free.

Businesses can use their credit to buy new devices via O2 or donate up to 100 per cent of their cash back to Virgin Media O2’s charity partner, Good Things Foundation, to support digital inclusion projects across the UK.

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