MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, is calling on local councils who have helped promote and collect mobile phones for recycling to enter the 2009 MobileMuster Local Government Awards.

The awards, now in their third year, aim to recognise and celebrate the outstanding efforts by local councils in promoting and collecting mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories for recycling

The five winning councils will be announced during the Australian Local Government Association Conference (ALGA), which will be held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra from 21 June – 24 June.

Rose Read, Manager of Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association’s (AMTA) official recycling program, MobileMuster, encourages councils to nominate their efforts in three of the five categories, including Best Promoter, Working with Schools, Top Recycler (Overall and Per Capita) and the National Excellence Award. Councils can register for the Best Promoter, Working with Schools and National Excellence categories.

“Councils play a major role in educating local communities about waste and recycling,” she said.

“In addition the network of participating councils helps boost our annual collection of recycled mobile phones, batteries and accessories. In the last 12 months to December 2008, local councils have handed in over 3,700kg of mobile phones, batteries and accessories, which would have included more than 24,000 handsets and batteries as well as 1,500 kg in accessories,” said Ms Read.

The MobileMuster Best Promoter Award will recognise the local council that has actively and creatively promoted mobile phone recycling to their community.

The Working with Schools Award will be given to the local council that has encouraged and supported their local schools to learn about mobile phone recycling and running musters, using the MobileMuster school activity sheets and participating in MobileMuster School Challenges.

The Top Collector/Recycler Award will be presented to two councils. Firstly, one award will go to the local council that has directly collected the most mobile phone components over the past twelve months[1] by weight and secondly, by weight per 1,000 people.

The National Excellence Award will be presented to the local council that has proactively promoted and creatively engaged their community in mobile phone recycling as well as actively collecting mobile phones.

“By participating in the MobileMuster program, councils can educate and help residents conserve natural resources, avoid greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment by recycling old mobile phones and accessories.

“I encourage all councils to nominate their recycling efforts in the 2009 MobileMuster Local Government Awards,” concluded Ms Read.