Samsung, Sainsbury’s, Sky & others back ‘revolutionary’ electrical goods trade-in scheme
The ever quickening cycle of technology has prompted a group of 50 retailers and manufacturers to club together in support of a ‘revolutionary’ recycling initiative designed to both reduce waste and encourage consumers to upgrade gadgets and appliances.
This will see retailers including Argos, B&Q, Homebase and Sainsbury’s establish drop off points where unwanted but still operational products can be deposited in return for in store discounts and vouchers.
Household names including LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sky will also get in on the act by establishing pick-up services for goods in exchange for a discount on replacement with a newer model.
Wrap, the sustainability campaign group championing the deal, believes that British households are sitting on a £1bn treasure chest of idle electronics and mothballed white goods which could be sold on to protect both the wallet and the planet.
It cites a typical two-year old mid-range laptop computer as having a resale value of around £240 whilst an unwanted 55in television could fetch as much as £475.
Dr Liz Goodwin, chief executive, WRAP, said: “I am delighted with the take up of esap from the electricals industry, which has the potential to revolutionise how we design, manufacture, sell, repair, re-use, and recycle electrical and electronic products. By making better use of resources, businesses can better safeguard their future through creating new opportunities for economic and environmental benefits, whilst saving consumers money.”