FAST FACTS

Fast facts about MobileMuster

• MobileMuster started in 1999. As the mobile phone industry's official product stewardship scheme, its aim is to keep old mobiles out of landfill and to recycle them in a safe, secure and ethical way.  It is the industry's program to takeresponsibility for its products at the end of their useful life.
• The program is voluntarily funded and managed by mobile handset manufacturers, service providers, network carriers and distributors.
• It's currently the only industry-led mobile recycling program in the world.
• Since starting out, MobileMuster has collected 1 million kg of mobile phones components including 7.27 million handsets and batteries and over 480,000 kg of accessories (as at 31 Dec 2012).
• Australia has over 30 million mobile phone subscribers and members of MobileMuster import over 7 million mobiles  into Australia every year.
• On average Australians replace their handsets every 18-24 months.
• Over 80% of mobile phone users either keep or pass on their old mobile.
• It's estimated there are over 22 million unwanted mobiles in homes around Australia.
• Over 90% of the materials in mobile phones, batteries and chargers can be recycled.
• Mobile phones are not biodegradable and contain substances that can potentially harm the environment if not handled correctly at the end of a phone's useful life.
• MobileMuster has over 4,000 public collection points across Australia.
• Old mobiles and their accessories can also be posted in for free to MobileMuster by downloading a reply-paid mailing label, or picking up a pre-paid satchel from Australia Post.
• Download PDF version of latest Key Mobile Phone Recycling Facts