The O2 community’s transfer to change off 3G subsequent month might see £13 million value of e-waste generated, in response to enterprise waste assortment agency BusinessWaste.co.uk.

The 3G switch-off on O2’s community is predicted to have an effect on roughly 4.3 million folks throughout the UK.¹ It might generate an unlimited 70,516 kilograms of e-waste, stated WEEE specialists with the group, roughly the identical weight as 5.9 double-decker buses. And the supplies from scrapping these outdated telephones might be value £13,769,488.²

Copper is essentially the most ample metallic present in units with 68,800 kilograms being generated from 4.3 million outdated units, value a complete of £509,808. Silver falls in second place with a complete of 1,505 kilograms generated at a worth of £1,223,535.

Gold is clearly essentially the most beneficial materials current in these telephone, and 146 kilograms might be retrieved from them, with a worth of £10,397,184.

Of comparable worth is palladium inside telephones, which is predicted to generate 65 kilograms of waste, valued at £1,638,961.

What’s the swap off?
O2 will likely be switching off its 3G community beginning in April 2025. The switch-off will start within the Durham space earlier than transferring throughout the UK. Whereas different networks corresponding to Vodafone and EE have already switched off their networks, O2’s is important as a result of giant variety of prospects it impacts.

Networks like Tesco Cellular, GiffGaff, and Virgin Media all use the O2 community, which means it can additionally have an effect on their prospects. Subsequently, it’s estimated the switch-off might impression greater than 4.3 million Brits.

The pondering behind switching off 3G networks is that it’ll enable extra capability and release “spectrum” that can be utilized to increase 4G and 5G networks. This could assist to fight sign lifeless spots. The federal government set a deadline of 2033 to part out each 3G and 2G.
Why will it generate e-waste?

With some units solely in a position to connect with information by way of 3G know-how, these will not make calls, ship texts, or hook up with the web as soon as the community is switched off. Because of this, any such units turn into unfit for function and customers should swap to a more moderen mannequin.

Subsequently, they’re more likely to discard their outdated units in a roundabout way.

What can customers and the trade do?
The most suitable choice for any outdated 3G units is to recycle them. As much as 80% of the supplies in your telephone are recyclable, and plenty of supplies carry worth in the event that they’re extracted and reused.
Many locations supply recycling schemes that may pay you to recycle your outdated system corresponding to O2 Recycle and Cash Magpie. There’s even a devoted comparability website to make sure you get one of the best deal to your outdated electronics, Examine and Recycle.

Mark Corridor, WEEE professional at Enterprise Waste, feedback: “The choice to change off 3G and 2G networks will inevitably result in an enormous quantity of e-waste and go away a huge impact on the environment. E-waste is the world’s fastest-growing stable waste stream with greater than 50 million tonnes generated globally annually.

“Nevertheless, the excellent news is that with the vast majority of supplies in our units recyclable, you possibly can look to scale back your carbon footprint. By doing this you possibly can cut back e-waste and stop it going to landfill.

“E-waste that results in landfills could cause injury to our soil, ecosystems, and even human populations as hazardous substances leak out and contaminate the setting. So it’s particularly necessary to make sure you recycle outdated units responsibly.”

Notes
[1] https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2025/01/survey-claims-4-3-million-uk-people-may-lose-o2-data-access-after-3g-switch-off.html#google_vignette
[2] A hyperlink to the research is offered right here: https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/information/3g-switch-off-could-generate-13-7m-of-e-waste/

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