Ten thousand mobile phones returned in Norway

On World Environment Day on June 5th, 500 Norwegian sports clubs started the work of collecting used mobile phones all over Norway. So far, 10,451 used mobile phones have come in as a result of the sports clubs’ voluntary efforts, and via Telenor’s recycling scheme in shops.

“We are very satisfied with the first month’s results, and we are looking forward with anticipation to how this national campaign will continue. So far, 12 clubs have sent in bags full of used mobile phones, and more are on the way,” says Toril Uribarri, Telenor’s Director of Communications and Corporate Responsibility.

The campaign “old phone, new opportunity” is a joint initiative between Telenor and the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF). The campaign involves sports clubs from all over the country that goes from door to door collecting old and used mobile phones. For each mobile phone collected, the sports club receives NOK 35.

Great enthusiasm and creativity

The sports clubs attending the national recycling campaign have demonstrated great enthusiasm and creativity.

One of the keenest collectors is Føre sports club. They have already sent in 876 mobile phones, and thereby securing more than NOK 30,000 in income for the club.

“We have now collected most of the mobile phones in Førde,” says Jo Inge Gåsvær, satisifed head of Førde IL Fotball.

“We are a big sports club with more than 1,300 active members, so we have divided the municipality between the different teams and carried out a good, old-fashioned door-to-door campaign. The sports club has also advertised in the local newspaper and made use of its partners to collect used mobile phones. The money will be spent on giving the members better sporting facilities – everything from new kit to footballs,” Mr Gåsvær says.

Roller skate distribution

Nidaros Roller Derby is another club demonstrating great creativity in connection with in the campaign. The club printed 1,300 flyers with information about the campaign and handed them out on roller skates in the centre of Trondheim.

“€˜We have really put a lot of effort into this campaign,’ says Maria Bitnes, who have just sent in the first 100 mobile phones. The club has sold waffles and will hold a jumble sale later this summer in connection with the campaign.

“We will spend the money on a training camp in London together with other international competitors,” says Ms Bitnes.

Benefits the environment

Last year, approx. 2.4 million mobile phones were sold in Norway. During the same period, only 35,000 old mobile phones were handed in for recycling, according to estimates from Elretur.

“To actively contribute in increasing the recycling of used mobile phones is an important part of Telenor’s corporate responsibility, and it is very important for the environment that these mobile phones are recycled. More than 90 per cent of a mobile phone can be reused, and our old mobiles can also give access to communication services in other markets. We are impressed with the volunteering spirit displayed by the sports clubs and urge them to keep up the good work, so that we can give both the environment and sports a boost,” says Ms Uribarri of Telenor.

Facts about Telenor’s return scheme for used mobile phones, old phone, new opportunity:

• Seven out of ten Norwegians have one or more old mobile phone lying around at home, according to a survey carried out by Norstad on behalf Telenor. 50 percent of Norwegians have two or more used mobile phones in our homes.
• Since 2009, Telenor has worked on a return scheme for used mobile phones, and, in addition to the collaboration with NIF, the company has recucling stations at the Telenor dealers Telehuset, Telekiosken, Nordialog and MobilData. You can also order return envelopes at telenor.no/gjenbruk.
• The mobile phones that are collected are registered and counted at Alternativ Data in Oslo before being sent to Telenor’s international return partner Regenersis in the UK. The company is environmentally certified and has stringent procedures for safety and the handling of hazardous waste.
• The agreement with Regenersis applies to all Telenor companies. Telenor currently operates mobile phone return schemes in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia, Malaysia and Thailand. So far, 265,000 used mobile phones have been collected in the Telenor group.
• The used mobile phones are either recycled, or refurbished and sold to well-functioning second-hand markets in Asia.
• All profit from the scheme is ploughed back into sports and charitable causes with a clear environmental profile.