Currys trials 'Cash for Trash' scheme offering vouchers for broken and unwanted tech – how it compares

Below we explain how Currys' new scheme works and we compare how much you could earn for your unwanted goods elsewhere.  

If you want to ditch an old phone in particular, see our Sell your old mobiles guide for tips on how to make £100s on unwanted handsets.

Here's how Currys' 'Cash for Trash' initiative works

Currys already runs an ongoing trade-in service for working items only (see below for more on the existing scheme), but under its limited time only 'Cash for Trash' scheme, shoppers can get a minimum £5 voucher for bringing in both broken and working unwanted goods.

Update Monday 21 March: MoneySavingExpert.com was originally led to believe that all customers, barring those bringing in broken TVs, would receive a blanket £5 voucher per item. But Currys has since clarified that shoppers can earn more than £5 depending on the product they bring in.

All items (bar TVs) qualify for at least a £5 voucher. This could include a computer mouse, charger, phone, kettle or fridge freezer. Old TVs, meanwhile, qualify for a £100 voucher. The retailer says the aim is to make recycling "easy and rewarding" with goods being repaired, refurbished or recycled. 

There are a couple of catches though. Firstly, goods must be recycled between now and Friday 15 April, with vouchers needing to be redeemed by Saturday 30 April – though given the scheme is a trial it could be rolled out permanently in future. Secondly, vouchers cannot be spent on gift cards, consoles, Apple products or mobile products.

Lastly, to redeem the minimum £5 voucher you need to buy something in Currys for £25 or more, while to use the £100 off voucher you need to spend at least £1,000 on a new TV at Currys. So it's only really worth it if you were planning to buy something anyway and the product you're buying is only available, or is cheapest, in Currys. And that assumes you can't earn more from an alternative recycling scheme (see below for a comparison of other schemes with Currys' new initiative).  

Check if you can get more cash for your BROKEN tech elsewhere

Before recycling broken items specifically under Currys' scheme, you should first check if you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere – which our research suggests could be the case, though this will vary by item.

If your tech WORKS, it's best to compare trade-in prices, including Currys'

If your old tech is in full working order, again, you should also compare prices offered by trade-in schemes too as you're likely to get more for working items. You should also compare quotes offered by Currys' ongoing trade-in scheme for working items, which is available in store (where you'll get a voucher) and online (where you'll receive cash or a Bacs transfer). See our table below for examples of what you could get.

What to watch out for before you trade in tech

Before you trade in your old tech, watch out for the following: 

• Always compare trade-in prices first. We've used Compare and Recycle, Compare My Mobile* and Sell My Mobile* (plus Currys) as these compare trade-in prices for your tech across a number of different firms. Just do your research on the company before committing. It's also worth getting quotes direct with firms such as Amazon, CEX and Music Magpie.

• Quotes are never set in stone. Any quotes shown on trade-in websites are never set in stone and they could decrease or increase depending on the condition the firm deems your tech to be in. So if you'd like the option to have your goods returned free of charge once they've been evaluated, make sure the firm in question offers this before sending in your item.

• You may be able to get more bang for your buck by accepting vouchers rather than cash. You may be quoted more if you exchange used goods for vouchers instead of cash but consider whether you'd spend them at the desired retailer first and weigh up the risks. See our Gift cards and vouchers guide for more info on your rights.