Sustainability of Personal ICT Devices 2022

One in six sold or gave away their old phone

In the 2022 ICT Household Survey, we asked respondents how they had disposed of their most recently disposed of/replaced ICT device and what factors influence their purchase of devices. Types of ICT devices encompasses a broad a wide range of devices including laptops, tablets, mobile phones, smartphones, desktop computer, console, printer, speaker, camera, etc.

In 2022, over six in ten (62%) internet users said that their most recently disposed of mobile phone or smartphone is still at home, whether it is out of use or being used by another person in the household, while one in six (16%) had sold it or given it to someone outside the household. See Figure 2.1 and Table 2.1.

There are free household Waste Electrical and Electronic (WEEE) recycling/e-waste collection points in the majority of towns across the country. Alternatively, you can return old devices, etc. to a retailer and this take-back system is free. Almost one in eight (13%) internet users had disposed of their most recently disposed of/replaced mobile phone or smartphone in such electronic waste collection/recycling. See Figure 2.1 and Table 2.1.

Almost half still have their old laptop or tablet at home

One in seven (15%) disposed of their most recently disposed of/replaced laptop or tablet using a WEEE recycling/e-waste collection point. Nearly half (47%) said that the old laptop or tablet was still at home, either not being used or being used by someone else in the house, and over one in ten (11%) had sold it or given it away. See Figure 2.1 and Table 2.2.

Desktop computers tend to be less frequently replaced. Over half (53%) of respondents said that they had never replaced their desktop. This compares with just over one in five (21%) internet users who have never replaced their laptop or tablet and have always used the same one. Please note that included in this category are those who had never owned a desktop computer or laptop/tablet and so, the method of disposal of such a device did not apply. See Figure 2.1, Table 2.2 and Table 2.3.

Almost one in five disposed of their desktop computer in WEEE recycling

Nearly one in five (18%) had disposed of their most recently disposed of desktop computer in electronic waste/recycling or brought it back to the retailer. The take-back system is free. It operates on a one-for-one and like-for-like basis - the appliance you are returning must be of a similar type or perform the same function as the one you are buying. The item you wish to dispose of is returned to the retailer where you are buying the new product, not to the retailer where the item was originally purchased. You can avail of the free collection of waste equipment on delivery of new equipment, or you can return it to the retailer’s premises at any time. See Figure 2.1 and Table 2.3.

When buying a new mobile phone/smartphone or laptop, tablet or desktop computer, how sustainable are we as digital consumers in the choices that we make? What are the factors that we consider most important when making such a purchase?