MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, is calling on participating schools to hand in their old mobile phones, batteries and accessories for recycling before June 5, as part of the ‘Old Phones, New Fence Posts’ Schools Challenge.

The challenge, is a month long competition where for every 5 kg of old mobile phones handed in for recycling by schools during May and until, World Environment Day – June 5, MobileMuster and Australian Composite Technology (ACT) will donate 1 Plasmar fence post to communities affected by the Victorian bush fires.

Rose Read, Manager of Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association’s (AMTA) official recycling program, MobileMuster, says, “The challenge is a great way for students to learn about 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.

“MobileMuster is aiming to collect 3,600 kg of mobile phones for recycling, which will result in the donation of 720 fence posts to the Baw Baw Shire, the official recipients of the Plasmar fence posts.

“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,” 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, 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,” said Mr Sweeney.

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.

“I encourage all participating schools to collect as many old and unused mobiles as possible for the challenge as their contribution to World Environment Day, while also helping Victorian families, schools and businesses in need,” concluded Ms Read.

For further information on the ‘Old Phones, New Fence Posts’ Schools Recycling Challenge, please visit www.mobilemuster.com.au, or contact the MobileMuster Schools Challenge Coordinator, via email schools@amta.org.au or by calling 1300 306 162.