Financial incentives 'encourage mobile phone recyling'

Thursday, May 27th 2010

Consumers might be missing out on earning money by recycling their old mobile phones, it has been revealed.

Research from Consumer Focus, published yesterday (May 26th), found there are around 85 million mobile phones in houses in the UK.

Conducted by ICM for the watchdog, the survey found 68 per cent of mobile phone users have at least one or more devices at home that could be recycled.

Furthermore, 11 per cent are thought to own five or more mobile phones, it was noted.

According to Mike Webster, spokesman for Wastewatch, people should recycle the gadgets.

"For a start you can get paid for it which is always an encouragement. It's also a great source of income for organisations like charities," he explained.

And it does not take much effort to do this, as it can be as simple as placing the device in an envelope and posting it, Mr Webster added.