Nokia continues to promote its sustainability credentials and highlights that it is now at the top of the latest Dow Jones Sustainability Index. It recently showed journalists its recycling facility in Singapore and points out that over 1.3 billion people are using Nokia devices around the world. Nokia emphasises that all its products can be recycled or recovered and that no materials are wasted. It claims minimal impact on the environment is achieved by using reusable and recyclable materials in manufacture and packaging, low consumption of energy and avoiding hazardous materials. Nokia argue that the cumulative effect of building sustainability into all their products is far more beneficial than focusing on just one environmentally-friendly model.
Nokia is not new to environmental initiatives. It has been organising take-back campaigns for over a decade and has worked worldwide to increase environmental awareness among consumers in partnership with various environmental and non-governmental organisations.
A global survey conducted by Nokia shows that just under half of old mobile phones are sitting around at home rather than being recycled. Just 3% of mobiles are recycled worldwide and Nokia point out that if each of their 1.3 billion users recycled only one of their old phones, 80,000 tonnes of materials raw materials could be saved.
While some sell their old phones or give them away, Nokia are targeting those with non-GSM or broken phones. They have recycling kiosks that will take all models and there are nearly 5,000 Nokia Care Points worldwide that accept handsets and accessories. Users are also able to drop phones off at Nokia stores and certain retailers.