Qantas passengers can help the environment by using the MobileMuster mailing label coupons in February’s issue of the Australian Way in-flight magazine or MobileMuster’s recycling satchels in the Sydney and Melbourne Qantas Club lounges to recycle their old mobile phones, batteries and accessories.

Rose Read, Manager of Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association’s (AMTA) national recycling program, MobileMuster, says millions of Australians are likely to have received or upgraded to a new mobile phone this Christmas, meaning thousands of old or unused handsets, batteries and chargers are going to waste, cluttering drawers and cupboards at home or work.

“Over 90% of the plastics and metals in old mobiles are recoverable and by recycling old phones, passengers will be helping the environment by returning essential metals and plastics for reuse, in turn avoiding future greenhouse gas emissions and reducing our demand on natural resources.

“It is important that people don’t throw them in the rubbish, where heavy metals like cadmium and lead can end up in landfill,” said Ms Read.

Peter Broschofsky, Group General Manager Qantas Environment and Fuel Conservation, said that Qantas has been involved in MobileMuster since 2007 and has collected old mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories from its staff across its operations.

“It’s great to have MobileMuster offer this service to our passengers during the month of February,” said Mr Broschofsky.

MobileMuster is a free year-round recycling service and is run on a not-for-profit basis. All recycling is conducted to the highest environmental standards and none of the mobiles are resold for reuse.

“The program is fully funded by the majority of mobile phone handset manufacturers and network service providers in Australia, many of which host collection points at their retail outlets and service centres.

“Since MobileMuster started in 1999 we have collected 550 tonnes of mobile phone handsets, batteries and accessories for recycling, including 3.8 million handsets and batteries.

“I encourage all Qantas passengers to take home their copy of The Australian Way next time they fly and use the MobileMuster mailing label coupon or pick up a MobileMuster recycling satchel next time they visit the Qantas Club lounges in Sydney or Melbourne,” concluded Ms Read.

For further information go to www.mobilemuster.com.au or call 1300 730 070.