Not-for-profits MobileMuster and Oxfam Australia are asking Australians to recycle their old mobile phones this Christmas to help the environment and fight poverty.

For every two mobile phones recycled over Christmas and New Year, MobileMuster will purchase a chicken through Oxfam Unwrapped to help families living in poverty. The ‘Old phones, more chickens’ campaign will run until 31 January 2012*.

“Over 19 million old and broken mobile phones remain unused in drawers and cupboards and many more will be purchased for Christmas. Every Australian can afford to give the planet and a family in need a special gift this festive season,” says AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus.

MobileMuster Recycling Manager, Rose Read, said almost every household in Australia has more than two unused handsets that could harm the environment if they ended up in the rubbish.

Mobile phones aren’t biodegradable, but they are nearly 100 per cent recyclable. The recycled materials can be turned into plastic fence posts, batteries, jewellery and stainless steel.

“The holiday period is a time for giving and receiving. This one simple gesture of recycling your old mobile phone will achieve two great outcomes; helping people living in poverty and the environment,” says Ms Read.

For example, families living in poor communities in Laos can find that life is a daily battle to obtain essentials, such as food and a source of income.

“For a family living below the poverty line in Laos, a chicken can be an invaluable resource. Chickens can provide eggs for food, and can be sold at the market to provide people with a regular source of income,” says Oxfam Australia Fundraising Manager, Leigh Stewart.

Oxfam Unwrapped also equips women in Laos with the skills to raise and keep the chickens.

“2011 is the third year that Oxfam Australia has worked with MobileMuster. The partnership has already seen over 1,000 chickens and 1,000 ducks bought through the Unwrapped program,” continues Ms Stewart.

“This year MobileMuster hopes to collect and recycle enough mobile phones to purchase 2,000 chickens through the Oxfam Unwrapped program,” says Ms Read.

“Recycling a mobile phone through MobileMuster is free, easy and safe. This Christmas it will also help to give the environment and a family in need a brighter start to 2012,” concludes Ms Read.

Old phones, more chickens

Recycle two old mobiles by 31January 2012 and MobileMuster will give a family in need a chicken through Oxfam Unwrapped

MobileMuster will purchase up to 2,000 chickens through Oxfam Unwrapped.

To recycle your old mobiles, batteries, charges and accessories simply:

Drop ‘em off at your local MobileMuster collection point (visit www.mobilemuster.com.au to find your nearest one)

OR

Post ‘em in for free by either downloading a MobileMuster/ Oxfam Unwrapped reply paid label from http://replypaid.mobilemuster.com.au/ or by picking up a free recycling satchel from your nearest Australia Post outlet and following the packing instructions

Make sure you send ‘em in by 31 January 2012

* Must be posted by 31 January 2012. Terms and conditions apply. For MobileMuster/Oxfam Australia Terms and Conditions refer to www.mobilemuster.com.au. For more info on the Oxfam Unwrapped program go to www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au.