What is phone recycling and how does it work?

Ever wondered if recycling your phone is worth it? Find out why millions trade in their devices, how much you can get, what the process involves and tips to get more money in your pocket.

1. Head to O2 Recycle and search for your device on our database of eligible phones, tablets, laptops and consoles. Fill in a few details and we’ll give you an estimate there and then – if you’re happy, complete your order.

2. Prep your device for recycling by backing it up, charging it up and sorting out security.

3. Pop it in the post.

4. We’ll securely wipe your device, and you’ll typically get paid just 3–5 days after we receive it.

5. Your phone will then be resold to someone else or responsibly recycled.

What postage options are there?

• Prepaid label only – You’ll use your own packaging, and we’ll email you a label and QR code. Either print your label at home or get the Post Office to scan the QR code and print it for you.

• Packaging and prepaid label – We’ll send you everything you need to get your device to us.

• Pop into your local O2 store to get your recycling quote, and one of our friendly team members will make sure it gets back to us.

Whichever way you send it, check the right quote reference is included so processing is quick and seamless. Hold onto proof of postage and your tracking number to help track devices in transit.

Retailers and recycling specialists often price devices using a grading system to determine their condition (e.g. A for excellent, B for good). The more pristine the phone, the higher the valuation. We’ve already paid out over £230 million since O2 Recycle began.

To find out how much money you can get, search for your phone model at O2 Recycle to see if it’s eligible for recycling. Select the storage size and provide the IMEI number (in your phone settings). Then, for an instant phone valuation, choose whether it’s in excellent condition, includes some screen damage, or has a few issues. Be sure to provide accurate information to avoid unexpected changes to your final payout, which is determined after it’s sent in and tested. There’s no cooling-off period for recycle arrangements.

If it works perfectly and looks like new, you’ll get the highest trade-in price. A damaged screen and enclosure have the biggest impact on valuation.

Your phone is likely in excellent condition if:

✅ No cracks, shattered glass or deep scratches

✅ Touchscreen and functions work properly

✅ No LCD issues (bleeding, streaks, white spots, dead pixels or screen burn)

✅ No screen lifting, or clicking/squishing sounds when pressed

✅ No water damage

Your phone’s condition is likely ‘some screen damage’ if it works properly but experiences one of issues above. Otherwise, select ‘a few issues’ for more options about its condition.

If the display is in good condition but there’s a few other issues such as enclosure/back cover damage, customisations or button issues, you may get a higher valuation compared to a phone with screen wear and tear.

Your phone is likely ineligible to trade in for money if there’s problems with power up or operating normally, but you can still recycle it for free using the same process. If take-back schemes and charities can’t accept the donation, you can dispose of broken mobile phones at most recycling centres in the small electricals container.

O2 Recycle has already saved more than 4 million devices from becoming e-waste. We have a zero-landfill policy, so most phones we receive will be reused, repaired or recycled for parts.

We start by wiping all personal data, so you can rest easy knowing everything’s secure. After that, we give devices a second and third chance by reselling them ourselves as Like New or through our partner, Likewize .

If a device really can’t be reused, we send it to our partner Relove Technology, who make sure every valuable material is extracted and repurposed.