MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, launched the 2009 ‘Old Phones, New Fence Posts’ Schools Recycling Challenge at Labertouche Primary School on Wed 22 April 2009.

The ‘Old Phones, New Fence Posts’ Schools Recycling Challenge, is a month long challenge where for every 5 kg of old mobile phones handed in for recycling by schools during May, MobileMuster and Australian Composite Technology (ACT) will donate 1 Plasmar fence post to communities affected by the Victorian bush fires.

Labertouche Primary School was affected by the Victorian bush fires and as a result, now requires new fence posts for the school grounds. MobileMuster and Australian Composite Technology (ACT) have chosen the school and surrounding areas in the Baw Baw Shire, to be the official recipients of the Plasmar fence posts.

Rose Read, Manager of Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association’s (AMTA) official recycling program, MobileMuster, says, “The schools recycling challenge is a great way for students to learn the importance of recycling old mobile phones, do something positive for the planet this World Environment Day and assist communities recovering from the Victorian bush fires, all at the same time.”

Over 90% of the materials found in mobile phones can be recovered and used to make new products. The plastics from handsets and chargers are shredded and combined with other plastics to make Plasmar fence posts, made locally in Melbourne by Australian Composite Technology (ACT). This includes the plastic fence posts that will be donated to the Baw Baw Shire.

“This not only saves energy and reduces waste going to landfill, but also avoids future greenhouse gases and conserves our natural resources.

“We are aiming to collect 3,600 kg of mobile phones and donate 720 fence posts by World Environment Day,” said Ms Read.

Roger Sweeney, Director of Australian Composite Technology, says the “Old Phones, New Fence Posts” Schools Recycling Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for schools to help the environment and Victorian communities on their road to recovery from the bush fires.

“As of 23 March, just over 8,250 km of boundary fencing, including 2,948 km of private boundaries, 3,080km of roadside boundaries and 2,234 km of crown land boundaries, were destroyed by the bush fires. It is estimated a further 5,000 km of internal fencing was also destroyed and 20% or less of this fencing is insured.

“The Baw Baw Shire is one of a number of areas that require this assistance and will be the first site to receive the Plasmar fence posts,” said Mr Sweeney.

Every school that participates in the recycling challenge will receive a free MobileMuster pack including a collection box, posters, MobileMuster Student Honour Roll and educational DVD explaining what happens to mobile phones once they are handed in for recycling.

Students and schools will also be rewarded for their efforts where each student who collects the most mobile phones at their school receiving a School Champion certificate. The student who collects the most mobile phones in their state will receive a Milton Book Pack to the value of $100.

The student who collects the most mobile phones for recycling nationally, will receive a Milton Family Experience Pack to the value of $250.

Every school that hands in 8kgs or more for recycling will receive a Milton Mobile Reward Pack, which includes backpacks, stationary packs and slap band wrist watches. The school who collects the highest weight nationally will win an electronic prize pack to the value of $1,500.

Queanbeyan West Public School in ACT was the 2008 MobileMuster National Schools Recycling Challenge winner, handing in a mammoth 136kg of mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories for recycling.

“I encourage all schools to register for the challenge as their contribution to World Environment Day, while also helping Victorian families, schools and businesses in need,” concluded Ms Read.

Schools can register for the “Old Phones, New Fence Posts” Schools Recycling Challenge, by visiting www.mobilemuster.com.au or contacting the MobileMuster Schools Challenge Coordinator, via email schools@amta.org.au or by calling 1300 306 162

School registrations for the Schools Recycling Challenge close on May 1 and the challenge runs throughout May, till World Environment Day – 5 June.