Tuesday, 21 October 2008

MobileMuster is inviting local councils nationwide to show off their mobile phone recycling efforts by entering the 2008 MobileMuster Local Government Awards.

MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile telecommunications industry, launched the awards in 2007, with the aim of recognising the outstanding efforts by local councils in promoting and collecting mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories for recycling.

Winners of the five awards will be announced during the Local Government Constitutional Summit – a special National General Assembly, which will be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre from 8 December – 11 December 2008.

Rose Read, Manager of Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association’s (AMTA) official recycling program, MobileMuster, says councils play a major role in educating local communities about waste and recycling.

“The network of local councils across the country has boosted annual collection of recycled mobile phones, batteries and accessories, from 1.4 tonnes in 2006-2007 to 3.8 tonnes in 2007-2008. 

“There was a fantastic response to the inaugural awards last year and I look forward to seeing the nominations for this year’s competition. With over 280 local councils actively involved in the MobileMuster program, the awards will be keenly contested,” said Ms Read.

Councils are welcome to nominate for three of the five categories, including Best Promoter, Working with Schools, Top Collector/Recycler (overall and per population) and the National Excellence Award. Councils can register for the Best Promoter, Working with Schools and National Excellence categories.

The Best Promoter Award will recognise the local council that has actively and creatively promoted mobile phone recycling to their community.

Working with Schools Award will be given to the local council that has encouraged and supported their local schools to learn about mobile phone recycling and running musters, using the MobileMuster school activity sheets and participating in MobileMuster School Challenges.

Top Collector/Recycler Award will be presented to two councils. Firstly, one award will go to the local council that has directly collected the most mobile phone components over the past twelve months[1] by weight and secondly, by weight per 1,000 people.

Melissa Medcalf
Professional Public Relations
Telephone: 02 9818 9311
Email: mmedcalf@ppr.com.au

Previous Winners - 2007 MobileMuster Local Government Awards

• Best Promoter went to Lake Macquarie Council (NSW) for its effective use of the MobileMuster Local Council Toolkit to generate broadcast and print media coverage for a variety of MobileMuster campaigns;
• Working with Schools was awarded to Campbelltown City Council (NSW) for their innovative approach of engaging schools through a ‘Schools Mobile Phone Recycling’ competition. Campbelltown City Council launched a first of its kind competition for MobileMuster, offering a $1,000 cash prize for the winning schools to spend on an environmental project. The prizes were awarded to both the top primary and secondary school that collected the highest number of mobile phone components per student population.
• Top Recycler/Collector was given to Brisbane City Council (QLD) for collecting 160kg of mobile phone equipment within 12 months.
• National Excellence Award was also presented to Brisbane City Council (QLD), thanks to the council’s extensive promotion of the program. Brisbane implemented 40 collection points across the community, making mobile phone recycling more convenient for Brisbane residents.

Key mobile phone recycling facts (figures current at 30 June 2008)

• There are over 21 million mobile phone subscribers
• There are over 3,000 MobileMuster collection points across Australia, including Nokia Care and Motorola Service One Centres; mobile phone retailers Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, 3 Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Crazy Johns, Fone Zone, Allphones as well as participating local councils, Cartridge World stores and selected ANZ and Sydney Credit Union branches
• Australians upgrade or exchange their mobile phones every 18 to 24 months
• 80% of people choose to keep or give away their old mobile phones, less than 4% throw them out
• Net imports of mobile phones into Australia for 2007/08 were8.4 million units. This is equivalent to 1,680 tonnes (assuming average unit weight of 200g – handset, battery, charger and accessory included)
• In 2007/2008 MobileMuster collected 97 tonnes of mobile phone components including 755,200 handsets and batteries
• 499 tonnes of handsets, batteries, chargers and accessories have been collected since the recycling program was initiated by ATMA in 1999. This includes 3.5 million batteries and handsets
• One tonne of mobile phone circuits can yield the same amount of precious metals as 110 tonnes of gold ore, 123 tonnes of silver bearing ore and 11 tonnes of copper sulphide ore
• Mobile phones are not biodegradable and contain small amounts of potentially harmful substances which if not managed properly may harm the environment
• MobileMuster is a whole of industry not for profit program that is funded voluntarily by handset and accessory manufacturers Nokia, Motorola, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Sharp, NEC, Panasonic, I-Mate, Force Technology and network carriers Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, 3 Mobile, Virgin Mobile and AAPT