Mobile phone recycling at our libraries | Partnership with Sustainable Coastlines
Do you have an unused mobile phone?
South Wairarapa District Council has partnered with Sustainable Coastlines through their mobile recycling scheme.
Drop off your old mobile phone to any of the South Wairarapa Libraries or the Martinborough Council office, to give them a second life and to be recycled appropriately.
Look for the mobile phone collection boxes. Regardless of make, model, condition, or functionality, every single phone you donate will play a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for our environment.
The phones are recycled by RE:MOBILE, Aotearoa’s only accredited mobile phone recycling programme, which accepts all mobile phones – regardless of their working order.
Each phone is evaluated, data erased, and SIM/memory card safely destroyed. Phones that can still serve are refurbished, finding purpose as affordable handsets in regions like Africa and Asia. Phones beyond refurbishment are recycled, with 95 percent of their materials finding life in the creation of other products.
All funds generated assist with Sustainable Coastlines efforts to preserve and restore our beaches and waterways.
Reasons why you should recycle your mobile phone
To protect the environment
If mobile phones end up in landfill there is the risk that the harmful substances inside them may leach into the surrounding land and waterways. Recycling mobile phones helps cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and build-up of hazardous materials.
Safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries
Mobile phones contain lithium-ion batteries and these can cause fires when they end up in landfill. By recycling your mobile phone you will ensure that these batteries are disposed of safely.
To extend the life of the mobile phone
If your mobile phone still works and is in good condition, it can be refurbished and on-sold to extend the life of the phone. This reduces the demand for new handsets and the associated environmental impact of manufacturing them.
To create a circular economy
Mobile phones contain precious metals such as silver and gold, and other valuable resources. Recycling your mobile phone means that these resources can be extracted from your phone and reused again.
Raise money for Sustainable Coastlines
Focused on protecting the moana, Sustainable Coastlines volunteers have removed over 1.7 million litres of litter nationwide, with a future goal to see 60 percent less litter on the coastlines of Aotearoa by 2030.
Visit remobile.org.nz or Sustainable Coastlines to find out more about the scheme.
Visit the South Wairarapa Libraries website to check out their extensive collection of books, magazines, audio books, graphic novels, and more.