BRITS are hoarding an estimated 27 million old mobile phones, laptops and tablets.
The devices are gathering dust in homes, offices and in warehouses.
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Businesses are holding on to 12 million, as many say they have no idea how to recycle them.
Some of the devices are so old they cannot be refurbished. But they still contain materials that can be taken out and reused, such as precious metals.
Virgin Media O2 says new research has found that seven in ten firms are clueless about handling electronic waste, but want to be greener.
More than a third of businesses have at least 50 old phones.
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Nearly 60 per cent say they keep the devices as a backup, but in reality know they will never use them again.
But eight in ten said they were likely to buy a refurbished phone for staff in the future — boosting their green credentials.
The huge total of abandoned devices has led Virgin Media O2 to relaunch its Recycle for Business scheme.
It helps firms trade in old tech in exchange for cash, credit or a donation to charity — regardless of their mobile phone provider.
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Jo Bertram, managing director at Virgin Media O2 Business, said: “We know businesses are holding on to millions of unused smartphones and tablets, not knowing what to do with them.”
The scheme has processed more than 3.8 million devices since 2009, and last year paid out more than £670,000 to firms.
None of the tech it handles ends up in landfill.
