Virgin Media O2 Leads Telecom E-Waste Solutions

The telecommunications sector faces mounting pressure to address electronic waste, with the UK generating 24kg of e-waste per person annually, making it the second-highest producer globally after Norway. 

For telecom operators, it presents both a challenge and an opportunity to lead circular economy initiatives.

Virgin Media O2 and Hubbub launched the Time After Time Fund to combat the UK's electronic waste problem whilst addressing digital exclusion through projects that repair, reuse and redistribute technology devices. 

The initiative demonstrates how telecommunications companies can integrate sustainability into their core business operations whilst supporting communities in need of connectivity.

Launched in 2022 and now totalling £1m (US$1.3m) across 18 UK-wide projects, the fund integrates into Virgin Media O2's Better Connections Plan, which aims for 10 million circular actions by 2025 and seeks to connect one million digitally excluded individuals.

Telecom sector leads circular action

Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, says: “Three years on, Virgin Media O2's Time After Time Fund is showing circular tech in action.

“When we launched the Fund with Hubbub in 2022, our ambition was to tackle two national challenges at once: the UK's growing e-waste problem and the widening digital divide.”

The telecommunications operator has achieved measurable results across its funded projects. 

According to Virgin Media O2, the initiative has reached 260,000+ people, with nearly 10,000 individuals engaged through repair workshops, donating, repairing and recycling devices. 

The fund has facilitated the repair, reuse or recycling of 8,000+ devices, with more than 60% of donated tech redistributed directly to people who need connectivity.

Connectivity through device redistribution

Projects funded by the Time After Time Fund have reached more than 268,000 people, with nearly 10,000 participating through device donations, repairs, workshops or recycling efforts. 

The telecommunications-focused initiative has achieved key outcomes including 6,649 items reused and redistributed, 438 people trained in repair skills leading to jobs or volunteering and more than 92 million media impressions building awareness.

Nearly 8,000 electricals have been repaired, reused or recycled, with more than 60% of donated smartphones and tablets going to those in need. 

Additionally, 400 individuals completed tech repair training, developing skills relevant to the telecommunications and technology sectors.

UK-wide telecommunications access projects

Projects within the initiative demonstrate varied approaches to tackling digital exclusion through device redistribution. 

Single Homeless Project in London received funding to provide digital skills training and rehomed devices like smartphones and laptops to homeless individuals, aiding job applications and service access. Nearly 200 participants gained AQA qualifications through the programme.

SOFEA in Oxfordshire refurbished and distributed 1,432 devices via three hubs, sourcing more than 2,200 from communities and businesses to support study and wellbeing. 

Youth & Community Connexions empowered North London youth with workshops repairing 327 items and recycling 607 more, partnering with businesses for drop-offs.

Screen Share trained 47 young refugees in trauma-informed laptop repair, redistributing nearly 800 devices nationwide. 

Other projects include Sustainable Hive CIC's Bristol workshops engaging 1,859 students in dismantling and repairing 177 items, The Warren Youth Project's Hull programme refurbishing 48 laptops and diverting 870 kg of waste and Coventry City Council's #CovConnects distributing 1,555 devices to vulnerable residents through NHS and university partnerships. Mobile Repair Cafés by Treverbyn Community Trust repaired 176 items for 1,300 participants, inspiring regional expansion.

Dana says: “This matters now more than ever.

“The UK generates 24kg of e-waste per person each year, the second-highest globally. Meanwhile, 1.5 million people still lack access to essential devices. 

“Giving technology a second or third life doesn't just cut waste, it saves resources, reduces manufacturing impacts, creates green jobs, builds local capability and connects people who would otherwise be left behind.”

For the telecommunications sector, the fund could represent a model for industry-wide action. 

“The Fund has shown one thing unequivocally: circular tech isn't just waste management, it's economic and social opportunity. And with the right policy environment, we can scale it nationwide,” Dana explains.