Clean Up Australia’s research suggests that there are as many as 10 million mobile phones in Australia – with 3 million more being sold each year. These new phones make many other phones unwanted each year.
Mobile phones may be small but they are not safe to throw away – their components – especially heavy metals like cadmium – are very dangerous to humans and the environment.
Mobile phones can be reused very well. Working mobile phones are used to provide affordable telecommunications to people living in third world countries.
Non-working mobile phones are recycled by separating them into components. The nickel from mobile phones is used to make stainless steel, the plastics can be used to make garden furniture, the cadmium to make batteries and even tiny amounts of gold and copper can be reused.
Worth Doing
When you buy a new mobile phone, recycle the old one.
The mobile phone recycling process is highly efficient, has high productivity, prevents environmental contamination, reduces the amount of resources used and benefits not-for-profit organisations in Australia and overseas.
In WA, we recommend the Cerebral Palsy Association’s mobile phone recycling project which is in partnership with Clean Up Australia and the Aussie Recycling Program. They offer a free postal recycling service from WA.
Call the free Recycle @ Work Hotline service on 1800 819 000 for more information and a free mobile phone recycling bag (postage paid). Or email your details and we will send one out.
Or contact the Cerebral Palsy Association of WA direct on Freecall 1800 424 810 or go to
