Mobile recycling programmes in Telenor Group

During 2010, several mobile recycling programmes (both global and local) have been launched throughout the Group. As of today, mobile recycling programmes are in operation in eight companies throughout the Telenor Group (in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Thailand and Malaysia). The total number of collected handsets was approximately 265 000 in 2010 (and an additional 370 000 between 2007 and 2009). Besides the existing activities, several companies within the Group are in the process of establishing their local projects.

90 per cent of the mobile components can be recycled

The discarded mobile phones carry value in several ways. When a mobile phone has reached its end-of-life, over 90 per cent of the components can be recycled. This in turn helps reduce the need for extraction of natural resources to build new phones.

“Old Phone, New Life” – the global recycling programme

In 2009, Telenor Group introduced “Old Phone, New Life” - a global programme for collecting, re-using and recycling mobile phones - that encourages telenor companies to establish recycling programmes. The “Old Phone, New Life” programme allows people to hand in their discarded phones through a network of Telenor retailers. Once collected, the phones are sent to our strategic recycling partner (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified company specializing in the safe disposal of mobile phones.)

Old phones are redirected to new markets

The phones that are in good condition can be refurbished and redirected to second hand markets. Restored mobile phones are sold in Asian markets for a low price, delivering the benefit of telecommunications to those people who cannot afford new handsets. Phones that cannot be re-used are sent to end-of-life refining companies that operate in the EU.

Although Telenor Group is encouraging all companies within the Group to join the “Old Phone, New Life” global campaign, we also welcome local recycling programmes, that are in line with the Group policies as well as local and international environmental standards.

As recycling processes involve significant risk to both workers and the environment, great care must be taken to avoid unsafe exposure in recycling operations and leaching of materials. Therefore, Telenor Group focuses on HSSE aspects of recycling and increasing control over the mobile recycling value chain by working with local partners who comply with our Supplier Conduct Principles (SCP).

Share the benefit of mobile recycling

As part of our recycling ambitions, we encourage all companies within the Group to share the benefit of mobile recycling with local communities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and organizations working on environmental protection.