What do mobile phones and chickens have in common?
Wingecarribee Shire Council in conjunction with MobileMuster and Oxfam Unwrapped are urging the Shire’s residents to help a family living in poverty this festive season by recycling their old mobile phones.
“For every two mobile phones recycled over the holiday period, MobileMuster will purchase a chicken through Oxfam Unwrapped to help a family struggling against poverty in Laos,” said Council’s Waste Education Officer Nina D’Arcy.
MobileMuster research has revealed that 40 per cent of Australians currently have two or more handsets at home that are no longer in use.
“With over 19 million old and broken mobile phones lying unused in drawers and cupboards, every Australian can afford to give the planet and a family in need a special gift this Christmas,” says MobileMuster Manager, Recycling, Rose Read.
Mobile phones are nearly 100% recyclable. The recycled materials can be turned into new products such as plastic fence posts, batteries, jewellery and stainless steel.
“For a family living in Laos, a chicken can be an invaluable resource. Chickens can provide eggs for food, and can be sold at the market to provide people with a regular source of income,” said Oxfam Australia Fundraising Manager, Leigh Stewart.
“2011 is the third year that Oxfam Unwrapped has worked withMobileMuster. The partnership has already seen over 1,000 chickens given to families in Laos and 1,000 ducks to families in Mozambique,” continued Ms Stewart.
This year MobileMuster hopes to collect and recycle enough mobile phones to purchase 2,000 chickens for families in Laos.
To recycle your old mobiles, batteries, chargers and accessories either:
1. Drop them off at your local MobileMuster collection point at:
- Council’s Civic Centre Customer Service Desk, Moss Vale, Monday to Friday
- Reviva Centre, Resource Recovery Centre, Berrima Road Moss Vale, Wednesday to Saturday
- Weighbridge, Resource Recovery Centre, Berrima Road Moss Vale, 7 days
2. Post them in for free by either downloading a MobileMuster/ Oxfam Unwrapped reply paid label from www.MobileMuster.com.au or by picking up a free recycling satchel from your nearest Australia Post outlet and following the packing instructions.
The ‘Old phones, more chickens’ campaign runs until the end of January 2012.
“Recycling a mobile phone through MobileMuster is free, easy and safe. This Christmas it will also help to give the environment and a family in need a brighter start to 2012,” added Ms D’Arcy.
For more information visit www.MobileMuster.com.au.