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Important to recycle unwanted cellphones

Although between 65% and 80% of a handphone can be recycled, recovery rates remain dismal due to poor awareness among consumers, according to cellphone manufacturer Nokia.

A survey by Nokia of 6,500 people in 13 countries shows that only 3% have recycled their handphones, 74% have not even thought of doing so and 70% do not know where to.

“If each of the three billion handphone users globally recycle one phone each, we can save 240,000 tonnes of raw material from being mined, produced and distributed," said Francis Cheong, Nokia South-East Asia and Pacific environmental affairs manager.

“The amount of greenhouse gases saved would be equivalent to that of removing four million cars from the road,” he said.

In that vein, Nokia is redoubling its efforts to make it easier for consumers to recycle mobile phones. It has set up kiosks in public places here for consumers to drop off their old or unused handphones for recycling.

To reward those who do so, Nokia will plant a tree in their name at Sebangau National Park in central Kalimantan.

Also, in a unique integration of services, the kiosks will accept handphones for servicing and repairs.

“The new kiosks are part of our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and one way in which we can make it easier for people to recycle their used and unwanted mobiles in a responsible manner,” said Cheong during the launch of the programme recently.

As a start, four Integrated Nokia Kiosks have been set up in the Klang Valley — at Nokia stores in The Gardens Mid Valley City, The Curve, Suria KLCC and Giant Hypermarket in Bandar Puchong Kinrara. More will be added nationwide later on.

The recycling programme accepts handphones of all makes, as well as accessories such as headsets, batteries and battery chargers. Dropping handphones off at the kiosks is simple; one need only follow instructions on the touchscreen.

The collected handphones will be sent to two recyclers, in Penang and Singapore. Recoverable materials include plastics and metals such as gold, silver, copper, iron, chromium, lead and nickel.