If you’re anything like me you’ve probably got a drawer full of old mobile phone chargers that came with phones you’ve long since ceased to use, none of which work with other phones.

So I was pleased to hear that soon we’ll be able to use the same mobile phone charger for any phone (even Apple!) anywhere in Europe. Not only is this more convenient – and will leave more room in my house! – but it will save 51,000 tons of electronics being dumped every year.

This is all thanks to a vote in the European Parliament by our region’s Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff and his colleagues. The new rules will mean all manufacturers selling electronics in the EU will be required to make them compatible with a universal charger.

Currently most phones use the same micro USB charger, following a voluntary agreement between the EU and 14 mobile phone manufacturers in 2011 which put pressure on them to introduce a common charger. However, several manufacturers including Apple did not sign the agreement.

Andrew Duff said: “This is a great victory for common sense.  Being part of Europe, the world’s biggest market for mobile phones, means we can put pressure on manufacturers to put an end to cable chaos. We’ve made a lot of progress towards a universal charger in recent years but this will mean that finally every electronic device will have to be compatible.”

Great stuff!