When we got a recent offer of some new (free) camera phones if we signed up for another 12 months, I thought why not. In a hurried transaction on Collins St. at the 3 store, I soon had some gleaming mobiles in my hand. When I asked the seller about whether there was an exchange program for our old phones, he gave me a website address, which I had to write down. I got the impression that not many people ask about this facility, and I suppose there’s not a lot of incentive for the stores to do it either. Once I’d gone home and looked up the dumping ground for all old things mobile, and pumped in the postcode, it became apparent that although places like Optus have many such facilities, EVIL NON-SUSTAINABLE COMPANIES LIKE 3, do not. There appear to be no incentives or rebates offered, so it’s entirely a voluntary, feel good exercise on the part of the companies. According to the website spiel “many Australians didnt realise they could recycle their mobile phones and that more than 90 percent of the plastics and metals in their phones such as silver and gold could be recovered and used to make other products” and “this campaign is the only whole-of-industry and local and federal government supported e-waste recycling campaign of its kind in the world”. I’m a little shocked that this isn’t more common, but I suppose Australia is more environmentally conscious than a lot of places. Here’s a slightly confusing breakdown of likely old-phone destinations: 41% of Australians keep their old mobile phones (if working or not), 24% give away their old mobile phones away either to family or friends (18%), employer (4%) or retailer (2%), 9% throw out, 8% of people have lost or had their mobile phone stolen, 4% recycle them, 4% said it was still in use, 5% either traded (4%) it in or sold it (1%) 1% donated to charity 1% other 2% dont know It would be nice to donate them to charity (I wonder if the charities have dialogue with the Mobile Muster people?), but my little, much loved Samsung buddies and their chargers and I will be saying farewell at lunchtime today at Optus. I wonder if they know that their batteries are going all the way to France to be liquefied in a fiery cauldron?