Is this the world's worst stocking filler?

Last minute Christmas shoppers are being advised against picking up a disposable phone charger to add to a gift this year.

In the long and not particularly distinguished history of terrible Christmas gifts there has rarely been a product so pointless and environmentally damaging as the disposable phone charger - that's the opinion of waste and recycling company BusinessWaste.

An impulse buy normally found next to the tills and costing only a few quid, these disposable power banks generally hold enough charge for a one time use with no way of recharging them.

Living in a world where people constantly feel the need to be connected, the disposable chargers are expected to be a popular buy for Secret Santa exchanges and stocking fillers

Each one comes with a lithium battery inside, which is not easy nor safe to recharge ensuring that they will quickly end up in the waste.

Only a fraction of the UK's electronic waste is currently recycled, almost guaranteeing that thousands of these seemingly handy devices will end up in landfill.

The advice is to consider spending a little bit extra to purchase a reusable power bank which can be used hundreds of times before being recycled by the local Council alongside other small electricals, or alternatively to invest in an additional charger cable and plug to carry around with you especially with many cafes and bars now offering charging points.

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