Currys’ new initiatives are making it easy for you to live a greener life. The technology retailer has a number of of services and promotions designed to help customers make the best choice for the planet - and their pocket.
“We don’t just want to sell amazing technology, our vision is to help everyone enjoy it by giving it a longer life,” explains Jaimie Cantwell, head of commercial at Currys Ireland.
As more of us buy more devices, from tablets to tumble dryers, the problem of electrical waste is growing, she explains.
Too often electronic items are not disposed of properly, ending up in landfill. It means opportunities to repair machines, or to retrieve valuable component parts for reuse, including scarce metals and minerals, are being lost.
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“Supporting the circular economy is the single most important thing we can do at Currys,” says Cantwell.
“Given the volume of goods we sell our internal strategy is all about looking at ways of extending the life of that technology, and we have developed a number of customer-facing initiatives to help.”
Cash for Trash
According to a survey carried out by Currys, only 37 per cent of Irish people regularly recycle old electronics. A further finding from the retailer’s survey also showed 71 per cent of its customers had three or more old, used, and unwanted devices cluttering up homes.
In summer 2022, Currys first ran the Cash for Trash initiative which incentivised consumers to do right by their old devices, and the planet.
It encouraged people to dig out old unwanted electronic goods, whether it’s a hairdryer, an old mobile phone, a computer or a fridge freezer, and bring it into their nearest Currys, she explains. In exchange they receive a €5 voucher that can be spent in store.
“You don’t have to have bought it from us, anything with a plug or battery will do,” says Cantwell.
The e-waste it receives in stores across Ireland Currys is significant. Presently it recycles around 2,700 tonnes of tech a year.
“We take back goods all the time but what the Cash for Trash campaign does is give us a chance to promote that fact Currys recycle unwanted tech, and to give it additional traction,” she explains. “We ran it last year and it was such a success that we are going to do it again.”
Take back tech
Customers can take advantage of Currys take back and recycle policy when buying new goods too.
“When you buy a new kitchen appliance from us you also get the chance to declutter your home of old countertop electronics. Upon delivery, our vans will take away any unwanted small electricals you have languishing in cupboards at home. This prevents it ending up household bins which can head for landfill,” says Cantwell.
There’s no limit to the amount of small electrical items you can send back in the van for recycling, just let the driver know you intend to avail of the service when they phone to confirm a delivery time.
“It’s completely free. The customer just has to make sure it’s ready to go when the delivery van arrives. These goods come to our central delivery hub where they are responsibly recycled.
Go Greener Campaign
The staff have been trained up on the full benefits of each model within its wide range of energy efficient appliances on display in all its stores. This allows them to make informed decisions on energy consumption and cost savings over time.
“The technology innovations in A-rated models makes them a better choice for consumers in that they’re more energy efficient and thereby deliver savings on usage year after year,” says Cantwell.
“On top of that, at various stages throughout the year, we run Go Greener, a price promotion campaign which is designed to support customers to trade into these sustainable, green choices.”
Included in its Go Greener campaign are top-rated appliances with energy saving or environmentally friendly features. These include fridges that tackle food waste to self-cleaning ovens that reduce the need for chemical detergents, to tumble dryers that use energy efficient heat pumps. The promotion includes free delivery on selected appliances.
Saving energy, saving money
With its partnership with Youreko, an online energy comparison tool that allows customers to assess the kind of savings they will make by choosing one machine over another Currys can illustrate to customers the variety of options available across its range.
“It allows people to compare energy consumption based on the way they use their machines, to make sure that what they buy is fit for purpose,” says Cantwell. “Consumers simply key in details of their typical usage patterns to see how much energy and money they would save, for example, over five or 10 years if the washing clothes twice a week by purchasing a new washing machine, she explains.
The electrical retailer’s e-waste management practices and innovative recycling initiatives have not gone unnoticed. Last year it won the Battery and WEEE Champion Pakman award from Repak Ireland, the environmental not-for-profit organisation.
“We are a market leader and, as such, we have is a social responsibility to lead from the front,” says Cantwell.
“That includes every aspect of the business from our internal choices to our suppliers, to helping customers make greener choices, right through to our e-waste practices and managing our central delivery hub. Without these elements in place and all working together our vision of selling amazing technology and extending its lifespan just wouldn’t be credible.”
To view the full range of Go Greener appliances and learn more about the recycling services Currys offer, visit currys.ie