New research from the Recycle Your Electricals campaign has revealed that as a nation of pet lovers, we have a new way of showing we care for our pets – we’re buying PetTech in volumes like never before.
With nearly 67m PetTech purchases in just 12 months – the equivalent of one sold every 2 seconds – and spending on PetTech soaring to nearly £3 billion in the same period, it’s clear to see that PetTech is speedily becoming one the UK’s fastest developing consumer tech trends. Whether it’s helping us communicate, care or have fun with our furry friends, we’re hooked – even spending 8.5m hours a week as a nation watching /or keeping an eye on our pets through at home cameras.
However, nearly 30 million PetTech items were also thrown away in the last year (the equivalent of 44% of PetTech purchased per annum). 6 million items are also no longer being used, and over 13 million items have only been used once or not at all.
Something needs to change. We should be caring for our PetTech – and the planet – as much as we care for our pets, by making sure it’s re-used and recycled. Ultimately, every item binned or collecting dust means that valuable metals found inside those electricals – like lithium, copper and even gold – are going to waste, when they could be repurposed and given a second life, whether that’s in medical equipment or even children’s playgrounds. And it’s not only about saving precious materials: when items containing rechargeable lithium- ion batteries are binned, they can cause dangerous fires, risking the lives of refuse workers, emergency services and the public.
Animal behaviourist, Chirag Patel, is firmly in favour of PetTech improving life for pets and the people who care for them, and says the question worth asking is how people choose to use them. “I am all for anything that improves the relationship we have with our animals and the quality of life on both sides of it. It is a remarkable relationship, and we can only get it for a short time, so anything that creates special moments for both of us is worth having. I do not think technology is the thing to worry about – what matters is how we use it. Used thoughtfully, PetTech can help us notice more, respond better and put our time where it counts. PetTech will not replace the relationship, because they are different things, and when a PetTech device has done its job, recycling it is part of looking after the same world our animals live in.
We can absolutely celebrate what PetTech can offer. In the modern age of convenience, when pet owners are busier than ever, they play a useful role in supporting families in looking after and playing with pets to the best of our abilities. But it cannot replace meaningful human engagement with our animals and the ultimate responsibility we have to engage directly with our pets daily.”
Pete Wicks, animal advocate and dog Dad to Rodney and Eric, is calling for change: “Everyone knows I treat my dogs like royalty – they’ve got more gadgets than me! Working with the Recycle Your Electricals campaign has been a real eye opener for me. I just had no idea this stuff could be recycled. I’ve definitely been a bit guilty of stashing electricals at home in drawers and cupboards and thinking ‘I’ll come back to sort you out later’! But now, Rodney and I are planning a little walk down to my local recycling point, which isn’t far at all. I was quite shocked when I saw there were over 30,000 recycling points across the UK – knowing what I know now, there’s just no excuse for tech to end up in the bin really. It’s no effort to do the right thing.
As someone who is a massive advocate for pet adoption, I love the idea of unwanted PetTech also getting a second chance, so it too can be rehomed and bring joy to another family. So when the novelty’s worn off for little Luna, Bella, Max or Milo, if you don’t have a furry friend to pass your unwanted PetTech along to, just make sure you visit the Recycle Your Electricals Recycling Locator to find out what to do next.”
The Recycle Your Electricals research further revealed:
Scott Butler, Executive Director, Material Focus, which runs the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, says there’s a serious side to PetTech too, ”As a dog parent myself, I too have succumbed to the fun of PetTech. I know how useful it can be in helping take care of pets we love so much, and, on occasion, provide true hilarity for all the family!
One really positive trend we’ve found during our PetTech research is that so many of us are already giving away or donating these items to friends and family when we no longer need them. But there’s still work to do to make sure those precious materials inside our electricals don’t go to waste, and that they are given that all-important second life.
Please remember that anything with a plug, battery or cable can be reused, donated, or recycled. Doing so helps keep other families safe, as batteries from electricals in the waste system cause dangerous fires when crushed. 70% of us are now recycling unwanted electricals but there’s more work to be done if we want to curb the tide of bin lorry and waste centre fires.”
Rebecca MacIver, Centre Manager at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, says we should love our pets as much as our tech: “From cameras that help us check in on our pets to grooming gadgets that keep them looking their best , PetTech has become a fun and useful part of modern pet ownership. But the greatest gift we can give our pets will always be our time, care and attention.
“We’re delighted to support the Recycle Your Electricals campaign and its reminder that loving our pets also means thinking about what happens to the products we buy for them. By reusing, donating or recycling unwanted PetTech, you can help give these products a second life and ensure they don’t go to waste.”
UK residents can find their nearest drop off point thanks to Recycle Your Electricals Recycling Locator, which has over 30,000 reuse and recycling points.
ENDS
For more information:
materialfocus@welcometoshook.com
Notes to Editors:
Media assets:
Top 10 most bought PetTech categories
| Rank | Item | TOTAL Bought |
| 1 | Light up toy for playing with | 8,510,539 |
| 2 | Grooming accessories | 6,759,984 |
| 3 | Feeding or drinking equipment | 6,214,147 |
| 4 | A smart toy for playing with | 5,668,310 |
| 5 | A smart toy with treats | 5,710,297 |
| 6 | Collar tech | 4,198,748 |
| 7 | A pet camera | 3,421,980 |
| 8 | Wearable tech | 3,149,061 |
| 9 | Wellbeing tech | 3,165,210 |
| 10 | Smart pet door/ flap | 2,162,355 |
Report comprises:
For more details on how your organisation can get involved and raise awareness of recycling electricals please email hello@materialfocus.org.uk.
About Material Focus
Material Focus is a not-for-profit organisation whose goal is to stop the nation throwing away or holding onto all their old tech and electricals. Material Focus is delivering the UK-wide Recycle Your Electricals campaign. The campaign is revealing the value hidden in electricals and is making it easier for us all to reuse and recycle the electricals we no longer need by providing more reuse and recycling points as well as providing practical information on how households can reuse and recycle.
The campaign is funded by producers of electrical appliances which pays for a range of activities, including communications, behaviour change activities, increased reuse and recycling projects and research. Ultimately the aim is to support actions that will help the UK increase the levels of reuse and recycling of electricals.
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