Discarded Irish mobile phones are being renovated and re-sold in other countries, mainly in eastern Europe, under a new recycling and re-use scheme introduced by 02. Frank McDonald, Environment Editor, reports.
Foneback, as the scheme is called, has recycled a total of 1.5 million mobile phones from Ireland, Britain, France and Belgium over the past 12 months, according to a spokesman for the company.
"Re-use is the main priority, and between 50 per cent and 80 per cent are re-used in developing markets," he added. It is the first scheme of its kind to be introduced by a mobile phone company here.
"Given the problems around dependence on landfill in Ireland, O2 has desired for some time to give its customers the option of recycling their phones", said Ms Jill Johnston, director of corporate responsibility.
"However, issues such as illegal dumping and questions about the bona fides of some recycling schemes meant that we were not prepared to introduce a scheme that could not be fully audited." The audit tracks how many phones have been deposited at O2 retail outlets, how many have been re-used and sent to other markets, the volume of metal and plastic recovered and of residual waste.
There is also a kickback for environmental charities, with the Irish Youth Foundation as the chosen beneficiary. During the year, it will receive a donation from O2 for each phone recycled.
