Australian phone industry commits to recycling over 3 million handsets

MobileMuster, Australia's official mobile phone recycling program, has committed to recycling 3,248,000 handsets by 2020. Based on the assumption that a phone weighs 170 grams, this is equivalent of 560 tonnes – an additional 130 tonnes when compared to MobileMuster's previous goal.

By Alex Choros

MobileMuster, Australia's official mobile phone recycling program, has committed to recycling 3,248,000 handsets by 2020. Based on the assumption that a phone weighs 170 grams, this is equivalent of 560 tonnes – an additional 130 tonnes when compared to MobileMuster's previous goal.

This new target is said to generate environmental benefits equivalent to:
Keeping 1,260 cars off the road
Plating 273,000 trees
Preventing 4,494 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions

Any revenue generated from the materials will be used to educate children about product stewardship through schools, local initiatives and Salvation Army stores.

MobileMuster is a non-for-profit funded by Microsoft, Motorola, Samsung, HTC, Huawei, ZTE, Force Technology, Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Virgin Mobile.  There are over 4,000 collection points in Australia.