Millions of new mobile phone handsets are bought each year in the UK – but as few as 14% of the old handsets they are replacing get reused or recycled.

Yet there are a number of mobile phone recycling schemes now available which can take your old phone off your hands and make use of it. Many schemes are now related to charities, which use the old phones to generate funds for their causes. The old phones don’t even need to be working as they can still be used for spare parts.

Most schemes will provide you with a freepost address to send your phone to so there’s no cost and very little hassle involved in making sure your old mobiles go to a better home than the landfill. Depdnding on the model, you may even be able to get cash back on it from the scheme.

Other ways to reuse or re-home your unwanted items:-

Compost your food waste
Give your unwanted items to charity
Make the most of your unwanted furniture
Swap clothes with friends to cut back on shopping
Join a library to borrow books instead of buying new ones
Donate your left-over paint to a suitable scheme
Donate your old spectacles to a good cause