Britain becomes a throwaway nation as gadgets dumped

3rd October 2013

Mobile phones most likely to end their lives in a drawer.

The UK is becoming a "throwaway nation" when it comes to consumer electronics, with the average lifespan of gadgets tumbling as people replace them with the latest models.

Mobile phones are most likely to be dumped before the end of their useful life as customers on rolling phone contracts constantly upgrade to keep up with emerging technology and must-have features.

According to a leading UK-based auction website, our obsession with gadgetry has reached a point where Britons are constantly updating to keep up with the market, with old items either sold, dumped, or simply left to moulder in a drawer.

"Nobody seems to want old stuff any more," said Emma Brown of the BidGrid.co.uk website, "Once a new generation of technology emerges, we are very quick at dumping the old. It's as if we can't bear to be left behind."

"It's much more evident in young people, where the peer pressure to have the best new tech is the strongest."

BidGrid.co.uk found that under 21s were more likely to change mobile phones as soon as their contracts allowed, often taking up 'early change' offers that some networks offer to shorten phone lifespans even more.

Average lifespan of mobile phone by age group:

Under 21 - 23 months

21-30 - 3 years

Over 30 - 4 years

What people do with their old phones:

Sell - 27 %

Give away - 15%

Left in drawer - 33%

Recycled - 4%

Threw in the bin - 16%

Can't remember/Don't know/Lost it - 6%

BidGrid.co.uk also found that people are also reluctant to repair a damaged item unless forced to by contractual obligations or warranty. Britain's homes are filling up with obsolete games consoles, MP3 players and unloved laptops, Brown said.

"Prices of gadgets are so low these days, customers prefer to buy new rather than send off a broken item for repair," said Brown. "Unfortunately, many people don't know how to dispose of electronics properly, so they're often thrown straight into the bin.

"On the other hand, we found that people are less likely to dispose of their large household items. Customers will put up with the same 'white goods' for donkeys years as long as they don't break."

According to long-standing statistics, the average consumer won't change their cooker for 20 years, a fridge for 15 years, and a mid-sized appliance like a microwave for the best part of a decade.

Interestingly, small electronic item collection bins raising funds for charities are now appearing in recycling centres and car parks across Britain. It's an acknowledgement of the size of the trend, and the value that's still in these used goods, said BidGrid's Emma Brown.