Most providers these days lend routers to customers and expect them back once the contract ends or their deal gets upgraded. They provide a pre-paid bag and you just pop it in the post. But for many years previously customers weren't expected to return their old equipment. And of course, some users prefer to use their own independently – and often superior – routers which in turn grow outdated and replaced.
Households across the UK are sitting on more than 22 million unused broadband routers – enough to fill ten Olympic swimming pools – which are going to waste instead of being recycled, according to new research from Uswitch.
Routers are WEEE (waste from electrical and electronic equipment) which means they can't just be disposed of in household waste. Fortunately there are schemes in place where companies can reuse and recycle on your behalf. Or, you could even consider selling your broadband router. In this guide we'll take you through what your options are, starting with taking a look at how each provider handles how they recycle old equipment.
Providers are getting better at helping to make it easier for customers to dispose of their used equipment in a more environmentally friendly way. Each return process differs slightly, we’ve listed the main supplier and how they handle returns and recycling.
How to recycle your BT router
In 2020, over a million pieces of equipment were returned to BT. They successfully refurbished half a million of these to help prevent 170 tonnes of electrical waste from going to landfill.
BT asks you to return your router if you joined or renewed your contract after December 12, 2019. You have 60 days to return your equipment after you stop using it, and you'll be charged if you don't. They should post you a pre-paid returns label and bag.
But if they don't, or you have older equipment, simply choose to 'Return your BT kit' after logging into My BT. Follow the steps provided and they'll send a returns bag in the post within 7 days.
How to recycle your Sky router
You only need to return Sky equipment if they’ve asked you to. Sky will text or email to let you know what to return and when. If you have been asked, you'll need to return your equipment within 60 days or risk a fine for every piece – e.g. router, boosters or Sky Q boxes – that's been requested and hasn't been sent back.
Sky will send you returns packaging. You should get an email with your returns label. Print it and attach to your package.
If you don't receive these, or have old Sky kit you’d like to recycle, use any other packaging that's secure and add a note inside with your Sky account number and a list of kit you've included. Then go to Sky Royal Mail returns to create a pre-paid return label.
How to recycle your Vodafone router
Vodafone are hot on their recycling responsibilities. They are working towards cutting carbon emissions and aiming to reach net zero by 2027. A big part of this is by reducing electronic waste and making new equipment made from recycled materials.
You can take your old equipment into any Vodafone store and they will see it is recycled in the best way possible. Or, when you leave they should supply you with a pre-paid package to send old routers back in.
How to recycle your Plusnet router
Plusnet now ask customers to keep their router boxes safe. These can then be reused for their eventual return. Anyone that signed up after 1 Feb 2024 will be charged £50 if they don’t return their router when asked.
Plusnet reuse and recycle unused routers, any working parts will be reused and the rest disposed of in an approved way.
To return you can take old kit to the Post Office and send it back free of charge. Go to Plusnet Royal Mail returns to create a returns label to attach to your package.
Over the last year Virgin Media managed the collection and return of more than 1.5 million set-top boxes and modems – of these over 1.3 million were then refurbished, repaired and reused. If a box is returned with a fault, they work with repair partners to do everything possible to ensure it’s as good as new for the next customer to use.
When you leave Virgin Media, they send a postage label and a postal returns bag to send back your old router. You can post it back to a Collect+ store.
If you are joining Virgin Media and have old equipment, you can pass this on to their technician when they attend for the installation. or alternatively you can visit virg.co/recycling for information on how to return or recycle old equipment, together with any associated items such as leads or power supplies.
How to recycle TalkTalk routers
TalkTalk now asks anyone leaving or upgrading to return their equipment for recycling. If you cancel your service and don't return your TalkTalk equipment within 42 days you may be charged £50. Not all equipment will be asked for back, currently they recycle the following products:
For these reusable devices, they post out a pre-paid postage bag to send your kit back free of charge. They'll reuse some of the parts and recycle the rest.
You also have the option to send any equipment that isn't supplied by TalkTalk or is older than the kit listed above to them for recycling. You'll need to pay for the postal charge, but you can package up your device along with any unwanted accessories and send them to:
WEEE Returns TalkTalk c/o Anovo 71 Bilton Way Enfield EN3 7EP
There isn’t a big demand for second-hand routers. These days most ISPs give fairly decent routers to new subscribers free of charge. So, unless you have something desirable like a top of the range Wi-Fi 6 enabled router or a Mesh wireless system, your old network equipment probably isn't worth much.
It can't hurt to try though! Stick it on eBay, Gumtree and Facebook in their tech section. Or, you might have some luck on websites like We Buy Used IT Equipment and Buy IT back.
Whether you are selling, giving away or recycling, you should factory reset your router first. This is an important step to make sure your personal data is protected.
Resetting your router wipes out any sensitive information such as admin passwords, IP addresses, configuration files, and parental control settings. This prevents anyone from accessing your network and devices.
Resetting your router is a simple process that usually only takes a few moments. You can usually do it by finding the small reset button and holding it down for up to 30 seconds with a paperclip or pin.
If you want to find all options available in your area that can safely and sustainably recycle or find a use for your Wi-Fi router, Recycle Your Electricals is a great website.
The independent not-for-profit organisation helps make it easier for everyone to reuse reuse and recycle unwanted electricals, ensuring we make the most of the valuable materials in them.
Simply put your postcode in its recycling locator and it will bring back all the places - including recycling plants, charities and retailers - that you can hand your old equipment to.
