Making Mobile Phone Recycling Easier

摘要

It seems that nothing can curb Australia's appetite for mobile phones. According to Rose Read, the manager of recycling at the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), about 8.6 million handsets were shipped into Australia during the 2007/08 financial year.rnGiven that each phone (together with battery, charger and accessories) weighs on average 200g, this equates to 1720t ofrnmobile phones and accessories being imported into Australia last year. As these devices have a relatively short life (with many people replacing their phones every 18 to 24 months) the environmental impact of Australia's phone consumption could be significant.rnWhile the obvious solution would be to discourage consumers from constantly upgrading their phones, according to Edwina Elliot, the corporate PR manager for 3, this is not realistic. "Consumers and businesses can now do more with their mobile phones than ever before, for example watching mobile TV, bidding on eBay, checking emails, accessing the internet and connecting with their communities with instant messaging and social networking sites such as Facebook." The days of using a mobile just to make and receive calls are about as relevant as listening to music on old 78s.