Brits would rather sit in a bath of beans than donate their unused smartphone to charity, according to new research.
The research, carried out by Virgin Media O2 and environmental charity Hubbub, found that Brits are more likely to sit in a bath of baked beans or stay silent for 24 hours to raise money for charity than donate their unused smartphones.
The data comes as the pair call on Brits to rehome their unwanted smartphones via the Community Calling scheme, a scheme to get phones to people who need them, including victims of domestic abuse, refugees and disadvantaged communities.
The Community Calling scheme was established in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to provide smartphones to those who could not afford devices or connectivity to get online.
It wants to donate 20,000 devices to people in need around the country, with free mobile data being provided by the National Databank, which was set up by Virgin Media O2 and the Good Things Foundation.
The research also found that more than 4 in 10 people (44%) wrongly believe charities don’t accept smartphones, with almost 15 million unwanted devices gathering dust in homes and garages across the country.
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Despite this, more than 7 in 10 of Brits feel guilty for not doing enough to support charities or those in need, with almost two-thirds (63%) saying they want to contribute more positively to society.
The survey reveals almost two-thirds (62%) donate to charity as they want to feel good about helping others, while nearly half (48%) will pass on an item to a good cause if they know it’ll have a positive impact on someone’s life.
More than half of Brits (53%) would want their phone to be rehomed with someone who needs it, and more than 4 in 10 (47%) believe donating their device is better for the planet as it can be given a second life rather than ending up in landfill as electronic waste.
Virgin Media O2 chief sustainability officer Dana Haidan said: “We know people in the UK want to do more to help communities in need, and with millions of unused smartphones stashed in drawers and garages, they’ve got the power to change lives by donating their devices to Virgin Media O2 and Hubbub’s Community Calling scheme.
“The quick and easy act of donating a phone will help people in need to get online and access essential services, like a booking a medical appointment, applying for a job or taking part in training, or keeping in touch with loved ones.”
In May this year, a laptop repair training programme providing refurbished devices for refugees and a charity endeavour combating digital exclusion are among the winning projects of the Virgin Media 02 and environmental charity Hubbub’s £500,000 Time After Time fund.
Also this year, Virgin Media O2 and Hubbub launched a £400,000 device lending scheme to provide smartphones and tablets for people in need.
