Director Kate Bunge speaks to TZNZ News about your old mobile phone

What happens to your old mobile phone?

The majority of devices which Swapkit collects are shipped to developing countries. Here they are refurbished and sold for reuse on second-hand markets. In these countries new electronics are not easily affordable so there's a great demand for second hand models.

A small percentage of the devices which Swapkit collects are unsuitable for reuse. These mobiles are broken down into their individual parts. Precious metals which the mobile contains are recovered and reused in place of virgin metals and plastic casings are melted down for reuse.

How does this help the environment?

In environmental terms, the activity of reusing our manufactured goods is a high priority and forms one third of the globally accepted guideline to protect our planet: "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle". More specifically, reuse of electronic devices helps our planet in the following ways

   * By recycling our electronic devices we reduce the amount of waste discarded in landfill sites. This not only reduces the amount of waste which each community must handle, but also protects potentially dangerous chemicals from seeping into our soil and water.

* Reuse of electronic devices means less manufacturing which reduces our global greenhouse emissions - it is estimated that up to 50kg of CO2 is used during the manufacture of one mobile phone. Reuse also conserves precious metals such as gold and silver which are mined for the manufacture of these devices.

Statistics: 10 Years later, Swapkit NZ is the top Mobile Phone Recycler in New Zealand.

Back in 2010 when there was a big clear out of CDMA mobile phones to what we use now a days GSM our main goal was to set up and give a clear message what to do with your old phone.

To date, Swapkit have refurbished, reused and resold close to 1.2 Million mobile phones and counting And saved a massive 119,736 Kilos of used mobile phones that would otherwise have ended up as waste in landfill sites across New Zealand. With a dedicated team to recycling and call center to help advise families, companies and schools how to recycle. We distribute for FREE 300,000 to 400,000 thousand free post bags per year, which allows consumers of new mobile phones to post away their unwanted second hand phone.   

Swapkit on average now for the last 5 years has been collecting 50,000 to 60,000 units per year. But we believe that there is alot more can be done to prevent and become as carbon nutrual as we can and prevent this electronic waste ending up in our beautiful lands. To find out more or if you would like to get enolved in some of our yearly recycle entities please do not hesitate to contact us.

Phone: 09377 4750

Email: Recycling@swapkit.co.nz

Web:http://swapkit.nz/index.php?route=information/contact