Muster up an old phone for the good of the planet

MobileMuster has now been operating for 23 years and since the program began, more than 1500 tonnes of mobile phone and accessories have been collected and recycled.

This March, all residents are being encouraged to dig through their drawers, search under the bed and rifle through that old box in the garage. There are more than five million broken old phones gathering dust across Australia, and with free drop-off stations across the Snowy Monaro now is the time to ditch your old dud and help the planet too.

“Every mobile phone contains a treasure-trove of rare and valuable elements that can be reused and recycled,” said Mayor Peter Beer, Snowy Monaro Regional Council.

“Not to mention that old and degraded lithium-ion batteries, like those used in mobile phones since the 1990s, pose a considerable fire hazard as they get older.”

MobileMuster collection bins are already in place across the Snowy Monaro. Council offices at Cooma, Berridale, Jindabyne and Bombala are ready to recycle your old devices. The Cooma and Jindabyne landfills, as well as the Bredbo, Nimmitabel and Numeralla transfer stations are likewise equipped with collection bins.

“The mining and refining process for the rare earth minerals used in the manufacture of our electronics places a heavy burden on the environment, and is a significant contributor to climate change,” said Mayor Beer.

MobileMuster’s recycling process is carbon neutral, so not only can Snowy Monaro residents clear out a bit of clutter, but they can also help save the planet too.

For more information please visit https://www.mobilemuster.com.au/zero/ and https://www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au/141/Waste-and-Recycling