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Millions of schoolkids lead nationwide hunt to tackle the UK’s e-waste crisis
The nation’s schoolchildren are being encouraged to participate in a new campaign to tackle the UK’s growing electrical waste crisis – and win prizes for their school in the process.
The Hidden Treasure Hunt is a new nationwide schools-and-families initiative, open to millions of pupils from the UK’s more than 20,000 primary schools.
It aims to increase recycling levels of the old electrical items hidden away in drawers at home.
Recent research by Recycle Your Electricals found that more than 100,000 tonnes of electricals are thrown away every year, with an average of 30 items stashed away in every UK home – or more than 880 million electrical items in total.
These items contain precious materials such as copper, lithium and gold which when thrown away are lost forever, and could instead be re-used in other products.
Many electrical products also contain batteries which are fuelling the rise in battery fires in bin lorries and waste centres across the UK.
Participating pupils can drop off their unwanted tech at any Currys store, where they are guaranteed at least a £5 Currys voucher, or at almost 30,000 drop off points across the country to receive points towards their school’s tally. Drop off points can be found on the Recycle Your Electricals postcode locator.
Schools will be ranked on a national leaderboard, with those ranked highest at the end of the 2025/26 academic year receiving a share of £20,000 of tech vouchers, which can be put towards vital learning aids like laptops, tablets and other education-friendly tech.
Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled as part of the scheme – which is being supported by Circular Economy Minister, Mary Creagh MP.
Circular Economy Minister, Mary Creagh said: “We all know the importance of recycling, but electrical items, like old smartphones and electric toothbrushes, tend to be forgotten and thrown away instead.
“With an average of 30 unused electrical items in each household, this government is determined to end the nation’s throwaway culture and reduce waste to landfill and incineration.
“By finding the ‘hidden treasure’ in old electricals, primary school kids can ensure their devices have a second life, rather than costing the earth. I encourage everyone to get involved in this exciting campaign.”
Participating schools will receive a campaign pack including assembly and curriculum-linked resources to support learning around climate change, sustainability and community engagement.
The Hidden Treasure Hunt is a Wastebuster campaign, for the UK wide Recycle your Electricals campaign, in partnership with Currys, with support from Microsoft, Ecogenesys and DHL.
It builds on a successful 2023 pilot, led by Wastebuster and delivered in collaboration with Recycle Your Electricals, Currys and Microsoft, in which school communities collected more than 200 tonnes of e-waste for reuse and recycling in just six weeks.
Pupils can also track their school’s progress on the national leaderboard and see the environmental difference their actions make – individually and collectively. This blend of online and real-world action will make sustainability education tangible, innovative and impactful.