IF you received a new mobile phone at Christmas, or plan to upgrade this summer, have a second thought about what you could do with your old phone as it could help those in need.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The not-for-profit mobile phone program, MobileMuster estimates there’s 22.5 million phones stored in homes, and it will increase over summer.
Research commissioned by the program estimates nearly half the population will think of, or will buy, a new mobile during the summer sales.
To put old phones to good use, MobileMuster will give $2 to the Salvation Army for every kilogram that’s recycled during December and January.
MobileMuster recycling manager Rosie Read said 90 per cent of materials in mobiles are recyclable.
“It is important to keep old phones out of drawers and landfill and recycle them so the materials they are made of can go back into the supple chain for reuse,” Ms Read said.
The aim is for 16,000kg of mobile phone handsets, batteries, chargers to give $32,000, to help feed, clothe and provide beds for those in need locally.
Donate mobiles and accessories at Australia Post, East Orange Post Office, Need a Nerd, the Optus Store, the Telstra Store and Alco batteries.
ashlea.pritchard@fairfaxmedia.com.au
