How Virgin Media O2 Rescues Waste Business Electronics
There are around 12 million unused business devices gathering dust in the UK alone according to Virgin Media O2.
Nearly 45,000 devices have been saved from becoming waste through O2 Recycle for Business.
As a whole, O2 Recycle has processed more than 3.8 million business and consumer devices since its launch in 2009.
Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “We know businesses want simple solutions to help them become more sustainable.
“That’s why Virgin Media O2 is leading the way in helping companies to reduce their waste, recycle their unwanted tech, and reuse their unwanted devices.
“Businesses can also play a vital role in supporting digital inclusion by accessing tech donation programmes, where their unused devices can be given a second life and used by someone in need, helping them to get online, access essential websites and build digital skills.”
How does Virgin Media O2 recycle devices?
Through O2 Recycle for Business, organisations can arrange for multiple devices to be collected by courier at once through its reverse logistics programme.
QR codes for postage can also be sent to employees working remotely who have old devices stashed away.
When devices are collected, their data is first wiped to protect sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.
Virgin Media O2 has a zero landfill policy, so the vast majority of phones it receives will be reused, repaired or recycled for parts.
Preventing e-waste helps businesses to lower their Scope 3 emissions, reducing the emissions associated with manufacturing, transporting and distributing new electronics.
The Better Connections Plan
Virgin Media O2’s ESG strategy is called the Better Connections Plan.
It aims to support consumers and businesses to carry out 10 million circular actions by the end of 2025, which O2 Recycle for Business is helping to support.
The business is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions across its value chain by 2040.
Since 2022, it has achieved a 56% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 emissions and 15% in Scope 3.
The company aims to achieve zero waste operations and products by 2025 and recycle 95% of operational waste while making sure less than 5% goes to incineration.
Its 2024 Sustainability Performance Update shows that since 2022, Virgin Media O2’s total operational waste increased by 2,911 tonnes, but its total operational waste sent to landfill decreased by 29.2 tonnes.
Business sustainability with Virgin Media O2
Alongside its business recycling programme, Virgin Media O2 aims to help companies become more sustainable with its tools.
These include a carbon calculator and a technology donation programme that provides people in need with unwanted devices.
When businesses use O2 Recycle for Business, credit from recycling can be used to buy new devices via O2 or donated to Virgin Media O2’s charity partner Good Things Foundation.
Donations to this charity help to support digital inclusion projects across the UK.
Jo Bertram, Managing Director at Virgin Media O2 for Business and Wholesale, said: “O2 Recycle for Business provides companies with a simple way to remove unused devices cluttering their offices – and be rewarded for it.
“Open to businesses of all sizes whether a customer of ours or not, this initiative provides businesses with a responsible method to dispose of their e-waste, all while providing the trade-in value of the device or the opportunity to donate that to our charity partner, Good Things Foundation.”
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