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Mobile Phone Recycling is free for staff and students at UOW.

Free Mobile Phone Recycling @ UOW

UOW has launched a mobile phone recycling program and is helping to raise funds for gorillas whose environment is damaged through the mining of metal used in mobile phone manufacturing. They have chosen to partner with the Australian Recycling Program through the Jane Goodall Institute. 

The ESI Unit promotes the R4 message of Rethink, Reduce, Reuse then Recycle. The ARP attempts to reuse the phones where possible to refurbish and on-sell. Only when the phone cannot be reused is it then recycled, with zero waste going to landfill. Other programs recycle only, which doesn't consider the better waste management options.

UOW Journalism student Jacqueline Wales put together the following video for VOX FM's Crossfire following the launch of the initiative on World Environment Day.

ARP also donate money for each phone to the charity of your choice, providing an opportunity to give something to the community for the recycling initiative. In the University's case, we chose the Jane Goodall Institute, which assists gorillas who are impacted by coltan mining, a metal used in mobile phone manufacturing. The Institute will receive $1 for each phone we donate. As with many environmental initiatives, this allows us to "think globally, act locally" in every sense of the word.

Over 90% of the plastics and metals in mobile phones, batteries and accessories can be recovered and used as raw materials to make new products such as stainless steel, plastic fence posts and jewellery.

There are over 21 million mobile phone subscribers in Australia. On average, Australians upgrade or exchange their mobile handsets every 18-24 months. It is estimated that there are nearly 16 million phones stored at home and work

Staff and students can drop their mobiles off (with sim card and battery removed) at Student Central, Building 17, URAC, Building 13 or the Arc Food Court, Building 67. 

• To learn more about the program and visit the FAQ's click here.
• Download the promotional poster here.