Environmental education and impact programme, Wastebuster, has revealed the results of one of its most recent campaigns promoting proper electrical recycling.
Also known for its Recycle to Read programme and partnership with Products of Change, Wastebuster’s Hidden Treasure Hunt has demonstrated how much impact schools and families can have when they work together to tackle an environmental challenge.
Earlier this year, Wastebusters, Recycle Your Electricals from Material Focus and Currys plc teamed up with Microsoft, Ecogenesys and DHL Supply Chain to launch the Hidden Treasure Hunt and tackle one of the UK’s fastest-growing waste streams – tech and electricals – through a fun campaign promoting repair, reuse and recycling.
The Hidden Treasure Hunt is a nationwide schools-and-families initiative, open to millions of pupils from the UK’s more than 20,000 primary schools. It aims to increase recycling levels of the old electrical items hidden away in drawers at home.
Recent research by Recycle Your Electricals found that more than 100,000 tonnes of electricals are thrown away every year, with an average of 30 items stashed away in every UK home – or more than 880 million electrical items in total.
These items contain precious materials such as copper, lithium and gold which when thrown away are lost forever, and could instead be re-used in other products. Many electrical products also contain batteries which are fuelling the rise in battery fires in bin lorries and waste centres across the UK.
Children at Kingsham Primary School take part on The Hidden Treasure Hunt and learn how people can recycle their electricals.
Date: 22 Jan 2026
Credit – Waste Busters / Amit Lennon
Combining real-world action and curriculum-linked learning, the Hidden Treasure Hunt campaign achieved incredible results:
- Over 78,000 unwanted electrical items registered for repair, reuse, or recycling.
- Over 22,000 people registered their recycling drop-offs.
- Over 59,000 recycling visits recorded.
- Two award nominations
- And even an appearance on CBBC’s Newsround
The campaign leaderboard measured the number of recycling registrations, with the top three schools receiving Currys vouchers for Microsoft tech.
Circular Economy Minister, Mary Creagh said: “We all know the importance of recycling, but electrical items, like old smartphones and electric toothbrushes, tend to be forgotten and thrown away instead.
“With an average of 30 unused electrical items in each household, this government is determined to end the nation’s throwaway culture and reduce waste to landfill and incineration.
“By finding the ‘hidden treasure’ in old electricals, primary school kids can ensure their devices have a second life, rather than costing the earth. I encourage everyone to get involved in this exciting campaign.”
Participating schools receive a campaign pack including assembly and curriculum-linked resources to support learning around climate change, sustainability and community engagement.
Wastebuster has announced it is planning an even bigger Hidden Treasure Hunt for the new academic year.
Katy Newnham, Founder, Wastebuster: “By taking part, pupils can see the real-world difference they are making, understand how the circular economy works, and lead their families and communities towards better choices that conserve resources and create lasting environmental benefits.”
Wastebuster, in partnership with Products of Change, also runs Recycle to Read, which facilitates collections of broken and unwanted hard plastic toys in Tesco stores across the UK, where participating children and families can earn points for their school to spend on books.
