Millions of gadgets lying unused in UK homes could lead to a shortage of ‘rare-earth’ elements needed to make future devices, scientists have warned. Smartphones, for example, require 30 different elements, some of which are in short supply.
A survey of 2,000 Brits by the Royal Society of Chemistry (www.snipca.com/32563) found that 40 million old gadgets are languishing in drawers and cupboards.
Half of all households have at least one unused electronic device, while 45 per cent had up to five. Young people had the most devices, with 52 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds owning 10 or more, compared with 39 per cent of 35 to 44-year-olds, and 30 per cent of people over 55.
Over 80 per cent said they didn’t plan to recycle devices, leaving valuable and…