Almost 1.5 million rooms in UK households are unused as they’re stuffed with muddle

Almost 1.5 million rooms in UK properties are at the moment misplaced to muddle – stuffed with gadgets not wanted or used. A ballot of two,000 owners discovered 10 % have a room they’ll’t use, as a result of it is full to the brim with junk.

Four in ten actively keep away from decluttering their properties, with 32 % of those that do that admitting they “don’t know where to start” in the case of transferring on gadgets they not want.

And 49 % don’t know the place to take such belongings for recycling.

Superfluous tech like cell phones (49 %), cables (48 %), and video games consoles (33 %), are among the many junk taking over area in UK households.

The examine was commissioned by Virgin Media O2 and Hubbub, which have launched the 2023 “Time After Time” fund – which is awarding a share of £500,000 to initiatives tackling e-waste and supporting digital inclusion within the UK.

The analysis discovered 46 % habitually maintain onto damaged or defunct belongings – gadgets they couldn’t use even when they needed to.

And of those that accomplish that, 38 % usually maintain onto unused gadgets like electricals for as much as a yr.

Dana Haidan, chief sustainability officer at Virgin Media O2, mentioned: “It’s so easy to accrue items – before you know it you have drawers full of random cables, old phones, and all manner of belongings.

“It’s no wonder people can feel unsure of how to get rid of their old tech, as they’re worried that if it’s thrown away, it’ll end up in landfill as e-waste, harming the environment.

“That’s why we’re launching 2023’s Time After Time fund, to help community groups and charities to run projects that both cut e-waste and rehome unwanted devices with people in need – which is a win-win for communities and the planet.”

Almost 1 / 4 (23 %) of all these polled have put unused or damaged gadgets within the bin, with 57 % who’ve performed so claiming that is essentially the most handy option to do away with such gadgets.

And 23 % suppose that is how you might be imagined to get rid of outdated tech.

However, on the flipside, 32 % of all these polled are apprehensive about their tech ending up in landfill – with 26 % involved their undesirable gadgets may hurt nature and the planet if discarded.

This may clarify why 53 % revealed they’d be extra prone to get rid of e-waste “properly” if there have been handy and accessible recycling choices obtainable.

And 62 % say they might be extra prone to donate undesirable devices to somebody in want – slightly than throw them away.

The examine, carried out through OnePoll, additionally discovered that 82 % imagine their group could be a greater place to reside if there have been initiatives which prevented e-waste or fly-tipping of their space.

George Clarke, who’s on the judging panel for the 2023 Time After Time fund, which is accepting functions till Friday, twentieth October, mentioned: “Sustainability and community are two causes that I’m incredibly passionate about, which is why it’s an absolute pleasure to be part of this year’s judging panel.

“It’s a fantastic initiative both tackling the nation’s growing e-waste problem, and helping those in need.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the brilliant and inspiring ideas the applicants come up with.”