Virgin Media 02 study reveals 2.6 million unused devices in Edinburgh
Around 2.6 million unused digital devices are sitting in homes and businesses across Edinburgh, according to a new study by Virgin Media O2.
The study reveals that over two in five (44 per cent) Edinburgh residents have never considered that unused tech, like a smartphone, could help someone experiencing digital exclusion, while almost two thirds (65 per cent) don't know of a local organisation where they can donate unwanted technology.
Virgin Media O2 is launching a £3m Tech Rehome Network Fund, until 2030, to help councils, charities and community organisations rehome unwanted devices with people who need them locally. The fund will help keep tech in use for longer.
The company is also encouraging Edinburgh residents to donate forgotten tech and give it a second life through local reuse schemes.
Edinburgh’s stockpile of unused technology is continuing to grow, according to Virgin Media 02 analysis. The average Edinburgh household now has 3.9 unused mobile phones, alongside 1.8 tablets and 1.6 laptops – around seven unused digital devices in total.
Over three in five (63 per cent) of those surveyed in Edinburgh say they have more unused devices than they did three years ago, while almost a third (32 per cent) say the number has increased by more than half.
Almost three quarters (73 per cent) say the oldest unused device in their home has been there for at least five years, while over one in four (27 per cent) say it has remained untouched for more than a decade.
Businesses in Edinburgh are holding an average of 42.6 unused digital devices each. Just under half (46 per cent) say they keep old equipment in case another employee needs it.
When staff require a device, however, more organisations buy a new one (47 per cent) than reassign an existing one (34 per cent), leaving many unused devices consigned to storage.
In Edinburgh, the study suggests residents haven't realised their unwanted technology could help someone to get online, with 44 per cent never considering it. Just under half (49 per cent) aren't familiar with the term digital exclusion, which refers to lacking access, skills or confidence to get online, including almost three in 10 (29 per cent) who have never heard the term before.
When people understand the opportunity, however, the willingness to help is clear. Almost every resident (93 per cent) said they would donate an unwanted device if they knew it would help someone who needed it, with 87 per cent of businesses saying the same. Almost three quarters of residents (73 per cent) said they would be even more likely to donate if they knew it would stay within their local community. The same number of Edinburgh residents said they want to see more community spirit where they live.
However, 65 per cent said they weren’t aware of a local organisation where they could donate unwanted technology, with 42 per cent saying they have never donated a digital device to help someone else before. Among businesses, 63 per cent don't know of a local scheme where unused devices can be passed on.
To help turn goodwill into action, Virgin Media O2’s £3m Tech Rehome Network Fund is opening its first £500,000 funding round, supporting councils, charities and community organisations to scale local tech-reuse schemes.
The fund aims to strengthen city-level device reuse programmes, improve digital inclusion outcomes for residents and generate practical learning to support device reuse at scale.
Virgin Media O2 is inviting applications from councils, charities and community organisations, including those in cities like Edinburgh where promising device-reuse schemes exist but funding is needed to help networks develop long-term sustainability.
The first £500,000 will fund a small number of city-wide initiatives that strengthen and scale local networks, making it easier for businesses to donate unwanted devices so they can be recovered, refurbished and redistributed to people who need them.
This aims to help a range of beneficiaries, such as families on low incomes, survivors of domestic abuse and those experiencing homelessness to get online, while also helping cities such as Edinburgh cut electronic waste.
Dana Haidan, chief sustainability officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “Edinburgh residents clearly want to use their unused tech to help people in their community, but too often they don't know where to start.
"Through the Tech Rehome Network Fund we're investing in trusted local organisations to build the networks cities need to keep devices in use for longer. By making it easier for households and businesses across cities to pass on unwanted technology, we can give devices a second life while helping more people get online."
The application process opens on Tuesday 8 September and closes on Friday 30 October.
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