Did you know you can drop off your old mobile phones at our libraries so they can be recycled?
New mobile phone recycling boxes have just been delivered to all three South Wairarapa Libraries after we sent the previous boxes containing dozens of old phones up to Auckland to be recycled by RE:MOBILE.
RE:MOBILE, Aotearoa’s only accredited mobile phone recycling programme, accepts all mobile phones – regardless of their working order.
The scheme allows Kiwis to donate mobile phones and accessories for re-use, refurbishment, or recycling. It is managed by the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum and is operated by SwapKit on their behalf.
According to SwapKit, up to 95 percent of the materials that make up a mobile phone can be reused.
SwapKit wipes all data from the phones, however the best way to keep your data safe is to wipe it from your phone yourself before you donate it to RE:MOBILE.
There were 62,890 phones collected through the not-for-profit scheme in 2024, with proceeds donated to the New Zealand charity Sustainable Coastlines.
South Wairarapa Libraries Manager Marcus Harvey said the box recently sent from Greytown Library was completely packed and very heavy.
“It was entirely full – no more phones would fit in it! We’ve had this great initiative in our libraries for a long time, but not many people are aware of it. If you have old phones lying around at home, be sure to drop them in next time you’re visiting one of our libraries in Featherston, Martinborough and Greytown!”
Recycling mobile phones is important for environmental and health reasons.
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 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.