MobileMuster is issuing a challenge to all Australians to take their old and broken mobile phones out of the drawer and recycle them for National Recycling Week, which runs November 9-15.

According the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) there are approximately 16 million old, broken or out-of-use mobile phones lying around Australian homes and offices.

“For most of us, our old phones are simply ‘out-of-sight and out-of-mind’. For National Recycling Week we’re asking all Australians to recycle their old phones, including batteries and chargers to make a positive impact on the environment,” says Rose Read, Manager, Recycling with AMTA.

“Australians can drop their old mobiles into a collection unit at their mobile phone retailer or pick up a recycling satchel at an Australia Post outlet,” says Ms Read.

Mobile phones aren’t biodegradable but they are recyclable. More than 90 per cent of the materials in mobile phones, batteries, accessories and chargers can be recovered and re-used.

Recycled mobile phones and accessories can be made into items such as jewellery, plastic fence posts and new batteries.

Mobiles should not end up in landfill as they can leach toxic chemicals such as arsenic, zinc, bromine and chlorine into the environment.

“It takes minutes to recycle an old mobile, but adds years to the health of our planet,” says Ms Read.

To recycle your old mobile phone:

Drop them off at your mobile phone retailer / local collection point - to find out where go to www.mobilemuster.com.au or call 1300 730 070

Pick up a free MobileMuster recycling satchel from Australia Post and post them

Print off a reply paid mailing label from www.mobilemuster.com.au and post them