The rate at which Australians are discarding technology is growing rapidly – at three times the rate of ordinary waste, according to the Austalian Bureau of Statistics. Many of these devices such as mobile phones contain hazardous substances like lead, mercury and arsenic. Nearly 8 million handsets arrived in Australia last year, but just one tenth of that figure was recycled. There is an increasing awareness among Australians of the need and potential to recycle but many like to hold onto their old phones as a back-up device. Others just put them in the drawer and forget them. A survey has revealed that around 16 million phones could be involved.
Mobile Muster is an Australian recycling scheme that started in 1999 and is funded by some of the leading mobile phone manufacturers such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and LG, as well as the networks. The companies together pay 42c for each phone imported to Australia. When phones are returned to Mobile Muster they are broken down and their components are reclaimed and reused in the manufacturer of new products. One tonne of recycled circuit boards can yield 300g of gold.
Mobile phone owners with models in good condition can get cash for their handsets by selling them online. These are usually repackaged and sold in developing countries.