With 45 million handsets in circulation in the UK and most users upgrading every 18 months it is estimated that around 15 million handsets are discarded each year. This is the equivalent of 15000 tonnes of potentially dangerous waste.
But while Fonebak is the first scheme in the UK to have the backing of all the networks four major retail outlets and the Government there was no apparent support from manufacturers.
Fonebak seeks to provide an environmentally friendly way to re-use and recycle old phones rechargers and accessories.
As part of the scheme special recycling bins will be fitted in over 16000 network and Dixon Group stores across the country and trade-in deals and charity donations will encourage customers to bring in their old phones. A freepost service will also be on offer.
The scheme was created by recycling company Shield Environment which has 20 years experience in recycling and has worked with all the networks on separate recycling schemes.
Fonebak differs from previous mobile recycling schemes such as Take Back and the ECTEC by placing a much higher emphasis on the re-use of handsets and component parts.
Functional handsets will be sold by Shield to emerging markets in Africa Asia and Eastern Europe.
Shield managing director Gordon Shield says the majority of phones that people hand in are less than two years old but have another five years of service in them.
The scheme is also the first to comply with current and future legislation and pre-empts the EUs WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive.
This sets the guidelines for the recycling of potentially harmful electronic waste and comes into play in 2004.
Said Minister for the Environment Michael Meacher at the launch:
This scheme covers every aspect of recycling that the government wants businesses to be active in. Governments are too slow at creating laws. This scheme is about businesses taking the initiative and about protecting the environment. This sort of activity is what we would like to see in other industries.
In a 12-month trial over one million phones were handed in. Shield is confident that in its first year the scheme will attract three million handsets.
As part of the recycling process material from certain batteries will be made into saucepans irons and new batteries while mixed plastics will be sent to Sweden for incineration (the energy is used to heat a local village). Other plastics are recycled as traffic cones and buckets.
Very rarely do people throw phones out said Vodafone group director of corporate responsibility Charlotte Grazo.
They are usually kept in the bottom of drawers. This scheme allows the customers to feel like they are doing something for the environment. We were involved with Take Back in the past and have our own scheme with recycling bins in our head office.
O2 UK environment manager Helen Wright said:
The thing that we are most happy about is the fact that re-use is so prominent in this scheme. It is by far the most environmentally friendly way of doing things.
O2 chairman David Varneyadded:
Its a win-win situation. Customers win because they are doing something good for the community and at the same time many companies are offering incentives for returning their phones and accessories. We win because we are complying with environmental legislation in advance of it becoming law. And the environment benefits too (see White Lines).
