Vodafone introduces phone recycling scheme

At present, the majority of mobile phone users in developed countries replace their phones on average once every 18 months, even if their old phone is still working perfectly well. Needless to say, this kind of mass turnover is not good news for the environment, with many of these old phones ending up in the bin, seeping their toxic chemicals into the earth. Furthermore, the production of new phones is a fairly energy intensive process, and is not entirely free of toxic by-products.

In an attempt to reduce the impact of the mobile phone industry on the environment, Vodafone have implemented a Europe-wide phone, battery, and charger recycling scheme. Customers are encouraged to hand in their old mobile phones, regardless of condition, in return for incentives such as free minutes or handset discounts, which vary depending on the condition of the equipment being handed in.

The phones can either be handed in at your local Vodafone store or an approved franchise, or sent away to the recycling plant using the freepost envelope supplied with every new phone sold with a Vodafone contract in the UK.

Phones that are still in full working order are then refurbished and sold on in developing and middle income countries, allowing people in those countries to reap the economic benefits of increased mobile telecommunications. Phones that are beyond repair are broken down, with any working parts being used to refurbish old phones or make new ones, and any broken parts being recycled for their raw materials, reducing the drain on the earth’s dwindling material resources.

While returning your phone to the network is a good way to reduce the overall environmental impact of your mobile phone usage, there are several alternative ways that you can recycle your phone, such as giving them to a friend or relative, selling them on, or donating them to a charity collection scheme.

Alongside the recycling scheme, Vodafone have also put in place schemes to encourage people to use their old phones for longer. For example, Vodafone UK offer a SIM-only monthly tariff, which offers customers who do not require a new phone a lower monthly rate.

Other things you can do to reduce the environmental impact of your mobile phone ownership include turning off the backlight in situations where it is not required, unplugging your charger as soon as your phone is fully charged up, and setting the screen saver to a shorter delay time.

For more on Vodafone’s recycling scheme, log onto their online shop and go green with your next mobile phone.