Nokia battery recall shows the way on mobile phone recycling

Thursday, 16 August 2007 00:19

“Compared to Nokia’s sensible plan, Mobile Muster is wallowing in a pit of inaction,” said Jeff Angel, TEC Director. “After 7 years and a dismal 3% recycling rate, Mobile Muster can think of nothing better than putting a few bins in a few shops. And for the privilege, consumers are paying a levy on every phone sold.”

TEC contacted Nokia call centres to find out what would happen to the old batteries when consumers received a new one. Nokia advised TEC that a returnable envelope would be mailed to all consumers who sent in their old battery for replacement.

Every year 8 million new phones are sold in Australia. Mobile Muster, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association voluntary industry program purported to deal with the toxic phones, collects only 3% of phones sold. Once mobile phones reach landfill heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and arsenic can leach into ground water and put the environment and community health at risk.

“Governments need to regulate this industry before a mountain of toxic phones goes to landfill. Even the industry admits a lot of phones are being stored temporarily, before final dumping.”

“A pre-paid return envelope with your new phone would be a good start, and a refundable deposit would be an even better incentive to get phones recycled. They’re doing both these measures overseas. Why not here?” said Mr. Angel.