Back Market research finds brits confessing their eco-sins as convenience beats conscience

• 42% feel guilt following eco-unfriendly decisions, yet over a third (35%) still admit to eco-sins such as buying a new device even though the current model worked fine!

New research reveals over half of Brits admit they’re not as eco-friendly as they want to be, with tech related actions topping the list of silent sustainability slip-ups. A new study commissioned by leading refurbished tech marketplace Back Market to mark Earth Day, reveals that 58% admit they’re not as eco-conscious as they intend to be – with convenience, cost, and time all playing a part in their everyday “eco-sins.”

From leaving lights on in empty rooms (53%) and tossing recyclables in the general waste (53%), to flushing non-flushables (49%) and letting food go off (48%), Brits admit to a range of eco-offences. But it’s our relationship with tech that uncovers some of the most easily overlooked and often guilt-inducing habits.

Despite growing awareness of e-waste and its environmental toll, many Brits are still trapped in habits that contribute to the problem. More than a quarter (27%) of people admit that always buying the latest tech is an eco-sin, while over a third (35%) have upgraded their devices even when their current ones still work. Additionally, 26% say they’ve chosen to buy new rather than repair old tech, showing how easy it is to overlook the impact of constant upgrades.

But the bad tech habits don't stop there - nearly half (46%) of Brits let their devices overcharge overnight, while more than a third leave Bluetooth or Wi-Fi on unnecessarily (35%). These seemingly small actions add up, exacerbating the problem of unnecessary energy consumption.

And when it comes time to part with old devices, the majority still aren't recycling properly. Only 39% recycle their devices, while 29% simply hold onto them, and 28% choose to donate - yet this still doesn't prevent valuable materials from ending up in landfill or being left unused.

While eco-sins may feel minor at the time, they do leave a mark – with 42% of respondents saying they feel guilty after making an eco-unfriendly decision.

To bring these findings to life and inspire action, Back Market has partnered with eco-lifestyle advocate and sustainability creator Charlie Gill (Life Before Plastic). Known for her practical and relatable approach to eco-conscious living, Charlie has joined forces with Back Market to demonstrate how even small changes, like choosing refurbished tech or trading in unused devices can make a meaningful difference for the planet.

“Trying to live a sustainable lifestyle can feel overwhelming at times, but it really doesn’t have to be,”

says eco-lifestyle advocate and sustainability creator Charlie Gill.

“That’s why I partnered with Back Market - to empower people who understand the impact of their actions to be able to make better choices for themselves and the planet. There’s often a disconnect between knowledge and action because people do care, but they don’t know where to start. Even simple steps, like giving your old phone a second life instead of ditching it at the first sign of wear, can genuinely make a difference. It’s about doing what you can, when you can, and knowing that small actions really do add up.”

“It’s clear that many Brits are trying to be more environmentally conscious – but everyday decisions, particularly around tech, show how convenience often wins,”

said Luke Forshaw, Head of Brand at Back Market.

“The good news is that small changes can have a big impact. Extending the life of your tech - whether that’s repairing it, buying refurbished, or trading it in; is not only a great way to reduce your environmental footprint, but it can also save you money in the long run. 

“And importantly, it’s a way to reduce the eco-guilt many of us feel - because making better choices doesn’t have to be complicated. It just takes one small step in the right direction.”

The findings come as Back Market continues its mission to promote circular tech and help reduce e-waste by encouraging more conscious consumption.

The research follows Back Market’s launch of its global campaign to stand against fast tech; urging consumers to stand against fast tech and the culture of overconsumption and overproduction amid new smartphone drops. 

Launched at a conference in NY last week, Back Market announced its partnership with iFixit, the global repair community, today for a partnership to address the culture of fast tech and overconsumption. It also launched its campaign to demonstrate the environmental impacts of the climate crisis while highlighting the growing responsibility of fast tech's overconsumption and overproduction. For example, findings from the partnership* found that keeping an iPhone 13 for 5 years instead of 2.5 years with a battery replacement cuts its annual carbon emissions by 49%, which could prevent 15.6 million tons of CO2 emissions per year.

The campaign empowers consumers to take action by reusing, repairing and buying refurbished tech whenever possible to extend the lifespan of their devices and keep them out of landfills. Images in the ads illustrate how dramatically the environment changes between smartphone models.

--

Note to editors

Research of 2,000 UK adults was commissioned and conducted by Back Market in April 2025.

Fast Tech landing page UK: https://www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb/end-fast-tech

Repair and Care landing page UK: https://www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb/repair-and-care

Charlie’s Socials

• Instagram

• Tiktok

----------------------------------------

About Back Market

Back Market is the largest marketplace for refurbished devices. Its goal is to prolong the life of tech products and reduce the impact of e-waste by supporting a robust circular economy. Offering a 12-month warranty and full transparency around device condition, Back Market makes renewed tech safer, easier, and more accessible for everyone.

Since its launch in 2014, Back Market has prevented roughly 1.6 million tonnes of CO₂ from being released, avoided the exploitation of 160,000 tonnes of primary natural resources, and served over 15 million customers globally. Back Market is proud to be a certified B Corporation.

Learn more at: https://www.backmarket.co.uk.

*Scenario calculation based on the carbon footprint of manufacturing from Apple Product Environmental Reports; refurbishment emissions from ADEME study; repair emissions from the Life Cycle Assessment of the Fairphone 5; and CO₂-to-household energy consumption conversion from the U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator and the number of smartphones sold in 2023