Recycling mobile phones

Mobile phone handsets, accessories and batteries can all be usefully recycled. The processes currently available to recycle mobile phones are highly efficient - close to 100% of their components are recycled.

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) voluntarily developed the Mobile Phone Industry Recycling Program in 1999.

The program aims to ensure that potentially toxic parts from mobile phones and accessories are recycled, rather than ending up in landfill.

AMTA claims that since 1999, around 30 tonnes of mobile phone equipment have been collected for recycling.

The Recycling Program is funded by a levy of around 40 cents on the sale of new mobile phone equipment purchased from participating manufacturers and carriers. You can see a list of participating and supporting companies on AMTA's website. There are over 700 participating mobile phone retailers and other stores around Australia.

How to recycle your old mobile phone or mobile phone accessories

There is no charge for participating in the Mobile Phone Industry Recycling Program. All you need to do is take the equipment you want to recycle to a participating retailer, or anywhere else that you see the Program's logo. You will find a recycle bin there where you can put your old handset, batteries, or other accessories.

• Document ID: 7256 |
• Last modified: 6 February 2008, 1:51pm