Currys is working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to launch its first-ever e-waste recycling inspired video game – titled “Trash Tycoon”.
This follows the news that the UK is set to become the world’s largest contributor of e-waste per captia, with Brits generating over 60,000 tonnes every fortnight.
Television Presenter and DJ, Tyler West, who played the retailers new game, commented: “Trash Tycoon is a game-changer, quite literally. Gaming has definitely been my ultimate escape and go-to ‘night in’ activity. As a Fortnite fan, it’s refreshing to play a map that addresses real-world issues.
“It’s about time we turn gaming into a force for good – I can’t wait to dive in with my squad and see how I can level up my base, whilst recycling tech trash!”
Currys’ game has been created in Fortnite and aims to drive change from a generation born into tech, by inspiring Gen Z to make better choices when binning unused, unwanted, or even broken tech.
It found that 66 per cent of young people are more likely to bin their tech over recycling, and also revealed:
- 75 per cent currently hoard unwanted tech in their homes, despite having no use for it.
- 35 per cent put off recycling e-waste due to a lack of information.
- 23 per cent don’t understand how to dispose of old tech.
- 26 per cent “forget” to recycle all together.
Environment Minister, Robbie Moore, said: “I hope tackling e-waste in the virtual world can help younger generations understand the importance of responsible waste disposal in the real world.
“It’s vital we turn the tide of e-waste, which sees 155,000 tonnes of electrical waste thrown in the bin every year. This is why we have set out new proposals to make it easier for householders to recycle their electrical goods and to spark the move to a more circular economy.”
The game’s Tycoon map serves as a visual representation of the 880 million unused and broken tech items hoarded in UK homes by showcasing a virtual world made entirely of e-waste.
The competitive game challenges players to go head-to-head on a mission to mine and recycle as much trash as possible, for valuable in-game and in real life rewards worth over £1,000.
