Don’t throw out your old mobile phone – recycle it, says NRMA Member Rose Read.Part of my career path has been working with communities to improve the environment; encouraging them to take more responsibility and making it simpler. I worked for Clean Up Australia for six years, running their water and waste projects. An extension of that was Clean Up The World, I worked with people around the world, inspiring them to get out there and improve the environment; whether it be a school in Kenya or the whole population of Poland. |
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I now work as Recycling Manager for Mobile Muster, a not-for-profit mobile phone initiative funded by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association. People don’t realise that 90% of the materials used in mobile phones can be recycled. They don’t know what to do with their old mobiles, so they either hang onto them or throw them in the bin.
‘My role has been to grow the awareness of the program and it’s exciting: awareness is the key to preserving our environment |
Over 90% of the industry participates, and none of the costs are passed onto consumers. We’re probably the only group in the world where the whole industry has come together in a product take-back program.
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You don’t see the computer, television or clothing companies getting together to offer recycling programs. It’s a voluntary initiative; so it’s all about the industry taking responsibility for their product.
I would say to NRMA Members driving around the countryside, don’t drop [rubbish] and pick it up when you see it. The ‘grey nomads’ are proving to be a great community resource because they link up with local community and conservation groups and they can do heaps of great stuff, whether it be participating in the Kimberley Clean Up or planting trees in dune areas. |
Recently I went to Korea to look at recycling plants. Witnessing the density of development and population there, then coming back to Australia and seeing these clear skies and so much open space, you realise how fortunate we are.
For more details visit Mobile Muster.
