O2 Recycle Reviews 

I sent my phone to O2 Recycle using the pre‑paid returns envelope they provided. Royal Mail tracked the parcel and it ended up delayed for weeks at a sorting facility. O2 Recycle insisted on proof of postage before they would investigate, which I supplied immediately. They still took over two months to look into the issue.

After several follow‑up emails from me, they finally responded with the message shown above. Despite initially valuing the device at £365, they claimed they’d processed a payment of £150 on 3 December 2025 and refused to confirm which account they sent it to. I’ve checked all my accounts and no payment has arrived.

Waiting two months for them to investigate a parcel that was stuck in their own courier network is bad enough, but to then misvalue the handset and refuse to provide basic details about the payment is unacceptableBased on my experience, I’d advise caution if you’re considering O2 Recycle. The process was drawn out, the communication was poor, and the outcome felt like a bait‑and‑switch.

I had the 02 switch up after taking out a 3 year contract. There was 6 months left on my contract which equated to £250. I visited the Eastbourne branch to upgrade and was advised there was a small break in the bottom of the screen (I hadn’t noticed) and was advised to get a new screen or I would only be offered £78 opposed to £251. As advised I spent £80 on a new screen and completed my upgrade. I sent my phone with the new screen to be recycled only to be told it had screen burn so they could only offer £78!! I checked the screen once replaced and it was perfect and never used as I had upgraded. Complete con, I have rejected the offer and will sell it else where

AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
I posted my device on 29th October using their provided method. It is now December, and I am still fighting for my £115.

The service is a shambles from start to finish:
They claimed the device was "Lost in Transit" and made me wait out their arbitrary "17 working day" investigation period.

I called them on 2nd December and was explicitly told by an agent that my payment had been approved and would be in my account "within 5 days." This was a lie.

The deadline passed with no payment. When I chased them again, they ignored the previous promise and are now trying to restart the investigation by asking for details (Post Office location) that I sent them a month ago.

They are deliberately stalling and ignoring the Consumer Rights Act. They seem to hope customers will give up and go away.

I have now been forced to draft a "Letter Before Action" to take them to Small Claims Court. If you are thinking of trading in your phone here. DON'T. Sell it privately or use a reputable recycler. These people are a nightmare to deal with.

I sent my phone that was valued at £257.25 and an extra bonus £100 for using this service. They received it on 30th September and I had an email confirmation on 7th October saying that my account would be credited £357.25 owed. On the 15th October my bill was generated and the phone was not on there. I contacted both the o2 team and the o2 recycle team and they said it would show on my next bill. My bill of 15th November has generated again without the credit owed. I called o2 recycle team and they cannot find anything on my account even though I have a reference number and email proof. O2 tell me to call the recycling team and the recycling team tell me to call O2. No one is helping me. You have stolen my property without compensation and I will be taking this further. I suggest my device is returned to me and someone gets in touch!

Easy to do, I chose to send from home this time which was easy to do packaging sent to home with prepaid layble

Everything was quick and easy!
Thank you!

Very difficult to follow. Shop refused to help

Easy, smooth process for returning a phone for recycling

I think this is a great idea to save the planet and enjoy a new phone at the same time

21.10.2025 There has been no update or further information about how I will get credit for my phone since you receive it back . your chat is crap, your customer service 202 is crap.

UPDATE 1.11.2025 I was told I will get an update after 10 business days from the date this was raised. Spoke to a manager from Asia who does not have a clue of the office hours in the UK and cannot even give the phone number for O2 recycle. Absolute joke. AVOID AT ALL COST!!!!! BETTER SELL YOUR PHONE ELSEWHERE !!!!! NOT EVEN WORTH 1 STAR!!!!!

08.11.2025

So when I upgraded my contract at the O2 Ashford Kent shop I was told I would get money for my old phone. Then I was told it will be credited to my account if I wanted to change it to money/bank transfer I need to call 202. I've called 202, they did not have a clue and was told to call O2 Recycle. I've explained to every one that I work Monday to Friday from 9-5 and cannot call O2 recycle. Now this email is telling me I don't have any credit till the next billing statement is generated, I cannot get money even if I requested for money and not credit, and I cannot have my phone back. RUBBISH SERVICE!!!!!!! GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!!!!!! EVERYONE ELSE IS TELLING DIFFERENT THINGS AND I AM LEFT IN LIMBO!!!!!!!!!!SCAMMERS!!!!!!BEWARE!!!!!!DONT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!

It was assuring to know that my personal data was deleted.
The buy back figure was good.
The knowledge of the 02 staff was excellent and helpful.

Went in my local 02 and they explained the process.. very easy to follow.

Unreal deal I upgraded my phone early better model better software better specs with 1 pound charge up front and 2 pound extra a month and tons of freebies with the deal

Absolute disgrace.

Great way to upgrade and the process was easy

I received my confirmation email to say that my returned phone had been received and it had passed all the checks required on 07/10/2025. Yet now I've been billed another month for this handset due to them being behind in getting it closed off my account. As of 24/10/2025 I'm still waiting for confirmation that this phone willne removed from my account, pretty poor really, if they are behind is not my issue it's theirs and the customer should not be penalised.

Dodgy dealings. Always looking to reduce the price that was originally quoted. Some may say scam artists.

A straight forward and well managed process.