Tech retailer Currys is leading a new campaign to encourage schoolchildren across the UK to locate unwanted consumer electronics in the home, to help ensure they are recycled rather than turned into e-waste.
The Hidden Treasure Hunt is a nationwide schools-and-families initiative, open to millions of pupils from the UK’s 20,000-plus primary schools, and it aims to increase recycling levels of old electrical items hidden away in drawers at home.
Participating schools will be ranked on a national leaderboard – and those highest at the end of the 2025/26 academic year will receive a share of £20,000 of tech vouchers, to be put towards learning aids such as laptops, tablets, and other education-friendly tech.
Pupils involved in the hunt can drop off their unwanted tech at any Currys store, where they are guaranteed at least a £5 voucher that can be redeemed at the retailer. There are approximately 30,000 additional dedicated drop-off points across the UK, where pupils can receive points towards their school’s tally.
Currys has been encouraging consumers to bring in their old tech for several years as part of its Cash for Trash scheme, having developed an in-house returns system that enables it to either repair items, gain value from using the spare parts, or recycle/dispose of material which cannot be re-used in a responsible manner. The retailer views the scheme as a revenue generator and another way in which to engage with its customers.
Schools participating in the Hidden Treasure Hunt will receive a campaign pack including assembly and curriculum-linked resources to support learning around climate change, sustainability, and community engagement.
Paula Coughlan, chief people, communications & sustainability officer at Currys, remarked: “There’s hidden treasure in every piece of tech lying around homes up and down the country – and we are hoping to inspire the next generation to help uncover it.
“Through education and action, we’re demonstrating how tech can be given a longer life, something we are passionate about at Currys. I love this campaign: it sparks curiosity, helps build more positive habits and brings families, schools and individuals together to do their bit to tackle the UK’s e-waste crisis.”
Katy Newnham, founder of Wastebuster, which specialises in raising awareness of environmental matters in schools, said: “With e-waste now the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, it’s vital that children understand both its impact – and its value.
“The Hidden Treasure Hunt invites young people to be part of an exciting, collective movement, working together to uncover the hidden treasure inside the technology we no longer use. By revealing the precious materials – such as gold, silver, copper and rare earth elements – locked inside everyday electricals, the campaign helps children see e-waste not as rubbish, but as a valuable resource.”
Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, which leads the ongoing Recycle Your Electricals campaign, commented: “Every year, over 100,000 tonnes of electricals are thrown away, and 880 million items lie in UK homes, many of which contain some of the most precious materials on the planet.
“This campaign inspires children and their families to lead the charge for change and go urban mining for these precious materials. This campaign is a win-win for the planet, we can reduce our environmental impact by preventing these materials from being lost forever and make sure that they are recycled into new items such as tech, life-saving equipment, and our green future such as electric vehicles and wind turbines.”
Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled as part of the scheme, which is being supported by circular economy minister, Mary Creagh.
Pupils can also track their school’s progress on the national leaderboard and see the environmental difference their actions make – individually and collectively.
What the Hidden Treasure Hunt partners say…
Graeme Milne, CEO of Ecogenesys, a compliance scheme provider, said: “On behalf of our electrical producer members, Ecogenesys is delighted to be supporting the Hidden Treasure Hunt.
“Bringing together electrical producers, retailers and the wider sector, this campaign hopes to increase awareness of the potential within unwanted electricals and highlight the many recycling points that people may not be aware of. Harnessing the power of schools, and especially engaged children who want to make a real difference to the world we live in, we want recycling electricals to become second nature, much like recycling plastic bottles and cans.”
Paul Stone, managing director of DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, said: “The Hidden Treasure Hunt is a brilliant example of how education, sustainability, and community action can come together to drive real change.
“For these materials to be recovered and given a second life, they must first move through a safe, efficient and traceable supply chain – and that’s where logistics plays a critical role. We’re proud to support a campaign that not only helps tackle the UK’s growing e‑waste challenge, but also inspires children and families to think differently about the value of the technology sitting unused at home. By connecting schools with responsible recycling pathways at scale, we’re helping to build a more circular economy and a greener future for the next generation.”
[image credit: Wastebuster/Amit Lennon]
