Gail On Tech

Dispose of your old mobile phone responsibly

These days, it seems people change their mobile phone as often as they change their socks, either because the phones are past their prime or their owners are lured by new shiny models offered with new and better plans.

So, what happens with the cast-offs? Well, I’m sure that there are more than a few desk and bedside table drawers giving refuge to rejected models, but many people just chuck them in the bin.

Unfortunately, because mobile phones contain components that are hazardous to the environment if they end up in landfill, it’s important to dispose of your old mobile phones responsibly and recycling is the perfect solution — over 90% of a mobile phone can be recycled.

Here are a few options for doing this:

• You can pass them on to someone else who can use it;
• You can surrender them via the Mobile Muster campaign — Mobile muster is the official recycling program for the mobile phone industry in Australia. You can find out more about the program and how to recycle your old phone here.
• Donate your old phone to a charity to raise money for a good cause. For instance, you can help the Cerebral Palsy charity in your state here, support kids with cancer here, or donate to a charity of your choice here.
• You can even get cash for your unwanted mobile phone from sites such as Mazuma Mobile and Cashaphone.