MobileMuster is calling on Australian businesses to join the likes of Ernst & Young and Pricewaterhouse Coopers to reduce their ecological footprint and avoid future greenhouse gas emissions by recycling their old mobile phones, batteries and accessories in the workplace.

With mobile phones playing an integral role in today’s business world, MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, provides a free recycling service to businesses Australia wide. The program aims to assist businesses in disposing responsibly their old mobile phone technology.

Rose Read, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association’s Recycling Manager, spoke about business participation at the Business Goes Barefoot event in Sydney this week and encouraged more companies to take the call and recycle old mobiles.

“There are currently 422 businesses registered with MobileMuster, which collect old mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories for recycling from their staff,” she said.

“Ernst Young was our top collector for 2007-2008, handing in 282kg of mobile phones for recycling. This included more than 2,000 handsets and batteries, as well as 140 kg in accessories. Western Power, Pricewaterhouse Cooper, Pacific National Australia and ANZ followed closely behind, recycling 598kgs of mobile phones collectively.

“Overall Australian businesses collected more than 2,900 kgs in 2007-2008 including more than 11,000 handsets. This was a slight increase on the previous year, which is great,” said Ms Read.

For more information or to register with MobileMuster visit www.mobilemuster.com.au or contact 1300 730 070.

“Mobile phone recycling is one simple step businesses can take, to create a better environment. I encourage all Australian businesses, no matter how big or small, to register with MobileMuster and start recycling now,” Ms Read said.