Sainsbury's Recycle
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Frequently asked questions


Here are some of the most common questions about recycling your mobile phone, camera, iPod, sat nav and handheld game consoles. If your question isn't on this list, email sainsburys@redeemplc.com

  1. How much is my device worth?
  2. My device isn't on the list. What can I do with it?
  3. My device is on the list, but there's no price next to it. What can I do?
  4. How do I know if my device is in 'working order'?
  5. How do I find out the manufacturer and model details?
  6. Do I need to send any accessories too?
  7. Do I need to send the sim card?
  8. Do I need to pay to post my device to you?
  9. What's the best way to send my device?
  10. I'm using my own envelope and want to print a freepost address label. But I can't click back to the order confirmation page to print it. What can I do?
  11. Will you let me know when you've received my device?
  12. What happens if I change my mind?
  13. How do I get paid?
  14. How many devices can I send in? Is there a limit?
  15. What do you do with stolen items?
  16. What happens to my device once I've sent it?
  17. How does recycling my device help the environment?
  18. Which charities does Sainsbury's Recycling support?
  19. Why are you charging for cheques?

1. How much is my device worth?

Find out if your device is listed and how much it's worth here


2. My device isn't on the list. What can I do with it?

If it's not on the list, we can't recycle it. Sorry.


3. My device is on the list, but there's no price next to it. What can I do?

It can still be recycled but you won't get any money for it.


4. How do I know if my device is in 'working order'?

It switches on, the screen isn't damaged and it hasn't been damaged by water. Have a look at our Terms and Conditions for a table on how we test devices.


5. How do I find out the manufacturer and model details?

If it's a phone, take the cover off and look under the battery. The details are usually on a sticker there. For anything else, look on the outer case.

If you can't find the right details, email sainsburys@redeemplc.com


6. Do I need to send any accessories too?

iPhones: send the phone, battery and charger. If you have a PIN on the password either take it off before you send or include a note of the PIN in your envelope. If we can’t open the phone we can’t test it and can’t pay you for it.

All other Mobile phones: Send the phone and battery. We don't need the charger, manual or anything else.

Digital cameras: Send the camera, battery and charger. (If you don't send all three, we can't pay you as much money. Read our terms and conditions).

iPods: Send the iPod and charger.

Sat navs: Send the main unit, any holder or cradle, charger, battery and manuals. (If you don't send everything, we can't pay you as much money. terms and conditions)

Handheld game consoles: Send the main unit, battery and charger. (If you don't send all three, we can't pay you as much money. Read our terms and conditions)


7. Do I need to send the sim card?

No. Take the sim card out before you send it to us. If you send us a sim card, we can't send it back to you. Make sure you transfer everything you need from your phone or device before you send it to us.


8. Do I need to pay to post my device to you?

Put everything in the envelope we give you and send it back to us. Although our address is FREEPOST we're not responsible if your items get lost, stolen, damaged or go missing on their way to us. We can only pay you for missing items if you have valid proof of delivery. So we recommend sending special delivery for high value items.


9. What's the best way to send my device?

Ask for a Certificate of Postage from any Post Office. It's free. If your device gets lost in the post you can claim up to £39 directly from Royal Mail. If your device is worth more than £39, it's best to send it by Special Delivery (from the Post Office). It means you can track it and it's insured. You'll have to pay for Special Delivery.

We (Sainsbury's Recycle or Redeem) can't accept responsibility for any devices we don't receive.


10. I selected to print a freepost address label and use my own envelope but now I can't click back to the order confirmation page to print it. What can I do?

Don't worry, we've sent you a confirmation email with the freepost address label and the order summary that you need to put inside the envelope with your item(s).

If you have any difficulty in getting your order confirmation number email us at sainsburys@redeemplc.com


11. Will you let me know when you've received my device?

Depending on the option you've selected we'll email or text confirmation to let you know that we've received your items. This also confirms when your payment will be made.


12. What if I change my mind?

We can't return anything to you once we receive it.


13. How do I get paid?

We can pay you by either cheque or bank transfer (bank transfer is quickest). Whichever you choose, you'll get paid within 5 days of receipt.


14. How many devices can I send in? Is there a limit?

We can only accept six devices per household every six months. The value of anything sent to us for recycling outside this limit will be at the discretion of Redeem.


15. What do you do with stolen items?

If you send us something that's stolen or the subject of an investigation, we'll hand it over to the police. We won't pay you for it.


16. What happens to my device once I have sent it in?

If your device is in good working order it'll be refurbished and sold on for reuse as an affordable means of communication, mainly in developing countries. Things that can't be repaired are sent to be "end of life" recycled. The precious metals and other components that can be reused are extracted and any remaining materials are smelted for energy recovery.


17. How does recycling my device help the environment?

When devices are thrown away they end up in landfill sites. They don't breakdown or biodegrade and might pollute the surrounding soil or waterways, damaging plants and wildlife.

Sainsbury's Recycle makes sure that every device is 100% recycled and doesn't use landfill.


18. Which charities does Sainsbury's Recycle support?

For every listed device and OME inkjet cartridge received £1 will go to Comic Relief.


19. Why are you charging for cheques?

We are a company that cares, we are committed to the environment and due to the extra costs and resources involved in producing cheques we have introduced an admin charge. It's not just about cost though, Bank Direct Payments don't get lost in the post, don't take ages to clear and we think they give you the best customer experience. Payment direct to your bank account saves time, is better for the environment and is more secure.

Recycle inkjets here and we will donate £1 to charity.