Recycling Mobile Phones

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MobileMuster recycles all mobile phone components, including all brands of handsets, along with their batteries, chargers and accessories. Free of charge. Find out more.

Everything you need to know about recycling mobile phones

WARNING! Do not put mobile phones in recycling or garbage bins - the batteries inside are hazardous and a fire hazard.
 
Recycling Mobile Phones includes:
Android & iPhones Smartphones Handsets Android phones Cell phones Flip phones Mobile device Pocket phone Wireless phone Mobile phone batteries Mobile phone accessories Cell phone batteries Phone handsets Mobile phone chargers Cell phone chargers

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Learn more about recycling mobile phones

How to recycle mobiles

Mobile phones, landline phones, chargers, and mobile accessories should never be put in your household recycling bin. They can be recycled, but only through specialised recycling programs. 

Australia has a national recycling scheme for mobile phones run by not-for-profit MobileMuster. Recycling your old or broken mobile phone is easy, with more than 3,000 free public drop-off points across Australia and a free mailing service. Recycling points include major phone retailers such as Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone, as well as Officeworks stores.

 
 

How to use the recycling scheme

Simply visit a recycling point to drop off your old, broken or unwanted mobile phones and accessories. Use the directory on this page to find a location near you.

Alternatively, you can post your mobile phones and accessories to MobileMuster for free by requesting a pre-paid satchel or picking one up from local Australia Post store. If you would prefer to use your own packaging, you can download a pre-paid label and drop your package off at the post office or post box.

What can you recycle?

MobileMuster accepts any type of mobile phone for recycling. They also accept mobile phone batteries, chargers and accessories like earphones.

At select Telstra, Optus and Vodafone stores, they also accept modems, home landline phones, TV streaming devices, smart speakers, smart digital hubs (only Apple, Amazon, Google products), smartwatches, smart pens, tracking tags and VR headsets (only Apple, Amazon, Fitbit, Google products).

Why recycle?

More than 95% of the materials in mobile phones (like metals, plastic, and glass) can be recovered and used to make new products. Recycling keeps these materials in use and out of landfill, preventing hazardous items like mobile phone batteries from leaching toxic materials into the soil and groundwater.

When you recycle, you are also reducing the need to extract new materials like precious metals from the earth, saving our natural resources in the process. Additionally, recycling prevents pollution and improves air quality by reducing the demand for power used in mining, refining, processing, and shipping of raw materials.

According to MobileMuster, recycling 50,000 mobiles saves 99 tonnes of mineral resources and 19 tonnes of CO2-e emissions. To find out how much impact you’re making from recycling your phone, visit the MobileMuster Calculator.

 

What happens to it?

Mobile phones, accessories, and other accepted electronic items collected by MobileMuster are transported to one of two recycling facilities in Sydney and Melbourne. Products are dismantled manually with components separated into different streams: circuit boards, metal, glass, plastics, and batteries.

Some plastics and metals are processed in Australia, while circuit boards, batteries, and other plastics are processed by MobileMuster’s recycling partner at their facility in Singapore. These materials are recovered and used to make a range of new products including mobile phones, glass bottles, recycled plastic park benches, electronics, mobile phone batteries, and stainless-steel products.

Nothing the program collects is reused or resold. MobileMuster’s priority is to recover the majority of materials to use in the manufacture of new products.

Image credit: MobileMuster.

 

 

Recycling mobiles at work

There are some recycling companies that offer collection and drop-off services for commercial quantities of mobile phones. To find a commercial mobile phone recycler for your workplace or business, visit mobile phones page for businesses. 

MobileMuster offers a one-off pick-up service for businesses across the country, accepting all brands of mobile phones, their charges and accessories, smart watches, VR headsets, and mobile broadband devices. To book a one-off collection, contact MobileMuster at mobilemuster@amta.org.au or call 1800 249 113.

MobileMuster partners with retailers, repair stores, local councils, and workplaces across Australia to make it easy and accessible for the community to recycle. Find out if your workplace or business can register for a free collection unit that can be used to promote mobile phone recycling to your staff and customers.

Businesses and workplaces can also consider buying second-hand, repairing or selling mobile phones through PhoneCycle.

Image credit: MobileMuster.

 

How to delete data

Before you recycle, sell, or give away your mobile phone, you should remove all personal information. If you are unable to remove the personal information from the phone, it can still be recycled. Any data left on the phone will be destroyed during the recycling process.

MobileMuster has step-by-step videos and helpful guides for removing data from both Android and iOS (iPhone) devices.

 Image credit: MobileMuster.

 

Reusing mobiles

Did you know there are currently 22 million unused mobile phones stored in homes across Australia and almost 14 million of these are unusable? If your mobile phone is still working, consider extending its life by either selling it online or passing it on to a friend or family member. This will extend the life of the mobile phone and keep the materials used to make it in use at their highest value for as long as possible. If it no longer works or is no longer wanted, then it’s time to recycle it.

 
 
 

Charities that accept mobile phones

DV Safe Phone collects, repairs and gives free mobile phones to domestic violence survivors, through over 360 Domestic Violence and Law Enforcement Agencies, Safe Houses and Hospitals Australia-wide.
 
The Reconnect Project is closing Australia’s digital divide by providing refurbished mobile devices to people in need, (re)connecting them with family, friends and essential services. They accept donations of all makes and models of mobile phones and tablets, regardless of their age or condition; and laptops that are less than 10 years old.
 
Hello Initiative in Western Australia recycle and refurbish donated mobile phones for their Mobile Support Project, which connects young people in the WA justice system with refurbished smartphones. They accept donations of good condition smart phone devices from 2014 onwards and can also coordinate a donation drive for schools, community groups and businesses.
 
Image credit: MobileMuster.
 

What is MobileMuster?

MobileMuster is funded voluntarily by major handset manufacturers and network carriers to provide a free mobile phone recycling program. It was established in 1998 and is accredited by the Federal Government.

When you recycle through MobileMuster:

  • You are recycling through a carbon neutral program.

  • Everything collected is recycled to the highest environmental standard.

  • Nothing is ever reused or resold.

  • Any data left on devices is destroyed in the recycling process.

MobileMuster accepts a range of electronics for recycling including modems, routers, landline phones, smart speakers, smart watches, smart pens, TV streaming devices, tracking tags, and some VR headsets. For more information visit, MobileMuster or call 1800 249 113.

Image credit: MobileMuster.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials can be recovered from a mobile phone?

Mobile phones are treasure troves of valuable materials. Recycling them not only helps the environment but also contributes to the global supply of essential resources. Here's a breakdown of the key materials recovered from old phones:

Precious metals
• Gold: Used in the phone's circuitry.
• Silver: Employed in various components, including the battery.
• Palladium: Found in the phone's liquid crystal display (LCD).
• Platinum: Used in certain phone components.

Base Metals
• Copper: A vital component in the phone's circuitry.
• Aluminium: Used in the phone's casing and internal components.
• Iron: Found in various phone parts.

Other Materials
• Plastics: Used for the phone's casing and internal components.
• Glass: Found in the phone's screen and camera lens.

Recycling mobile phones is crucial for conserving natural resources and reducing electronic waste. By properly disposing of your old phone, you're contributing to a more sustainable future. Use the information on this page to find a recycling location or collection service near you.

Who benefits from mobile phone recycling?

Mobile phone recycling is a win-win situation for multiple parties:

1. The Environment
• Reduced e-waste: Recycling prevents harmful and valuable materials from ending up in landfills.
• Conservation of resources: Recovering valuable metals reduces the need for mining new materials.
• Energy savings: Recycling uses less energy than producing new materials.

2. Consumers
• Peace of mind: Knowing your old phone is being recycled responsibly.
• Potential financial benefits: Some phone providers offer a trade-in service.
• Contribution to a sustainable future: Recycling phones keeps valuable materials in use for as long as possible, which reduces the need to extract new materials from the earth.

3. Industry
• Access to valuable materials: Recyclers recover precious metals and other components.
• Cost reduction: Recycled materials can be cheaper than sourcing new ones.
• Positive public image: Demonstrates commitment to sustainability.

4. Community
• Job creation: Recycling operations create employment opportunities.
• Support for charitable causes: If your phone is in good condition, you can donate it to a charity so it can be passed on to disadvantaged communities.

Can old mobile phones be recycled?

Yes, old mobile phones can definitely be recycled! To recycle your phone, you need to take it to a recycling drop-off point or organise a pick-up service. You cannot recycle your phone by putting it in your recycling bin at home. Use the information on this page to find a location or service near you.

Where can I recycle old mobile phones?

MobileMuster has thousands of recycling drop-off locations around Australia, making it easier than ever to recycle your old phone. Use the directory on this page to find a location near you.

Alternatively, you can post your mobile phones and accessories to MobileMuster for free by requesting a pre-paid satchel or picking one up from local Australia Post store. If you would prefer to use your own packaging, you can download a pre-paid label and drop your package off at the post office or post box.

Is it safe to recycle mobile phones?

There are established and regulated recycling programs in place in Australia, such as MobileMuster, that prioritise safe and environmentally responsible practices. They handle the recycling process securely, ensuring that hazardous materials are properly managed and valuable components are recovered. The phones are dismantled in the recycling process, which destroys any remaining data left on the phone. By recycling your mobile phone through a reputable program, you can rest assured that it's being handled safely and sustainably.

What percentage of mobile phones are recycled?

While the technology exists to recycle nearly 100% of a phone's components, the reality is that a much smaller fraction of mobile phones actually makes it to recycling facilities.

Estimates vary, but it's generally agreed upon that less than 20% of mobile phones are recycled globally. This is a significant issue considering the growing number of phones produced each year and the valuable resources they contain.

While the global average for mobile phone recycling is quite low, Australia has made significant strides in this area. The MobileMuster program has been instrumental in increasing recycling rates in Australia. It provides convenient drop-off points and ensures responsible handling of recycled phones. Since the program’s inception, MobileMuster has collected and recycled over 2,000 tonnes of mobile phone waste and diverted nearly 90% of products collected from landfill.

Where to recycle mobile phones for charity

DV Safe Phone collects, repairs and gives free mobile phones to domestic violence survivors, through over 360 Domestic Violence and Law Enforcement Agencies, Safe Houses and Hospitals Australia-wide.

The Reconnect Project is closing Australia’s digital divide by providing refurbished mobile devices to people in need, (re)connecting them with family, friends and essential services. They accept donations of all makes and models of mobile phones and tablets, regardless of their age or condition; and laptops that are less than 10 years old.

Hello Initiative in Western Australia recycle and refurbish donated mobile phones for their Mobile Support Project, which connects young people in the WA justice system with refurbished smartphones. They accept donations of good condition smart phone devices from 2014 onwards and can also coordinate a donation drive for schools, community groups and businesses.

What happens to mobile phones when they are recycled?

Mobile phones, accessories, and other accepted electronic items collected by MobileMuster are transported to one of two recycling facilities in Sydney and Melbourne. Products are dismantled manually with components separated into different streams: circuit boards, metal, glass, plastics, and batteries.

Some plastics and metals are processed in Australia, while circuit boards, batteries, and other plastics are processed by MobileMuster’s recycling partner at their facility in Singapore. These materials are recovered and used to make a range of new products including mobile phones, glass bottles, recycled plastic park benches, electronics, mobile phone batteries, and stainless-steel products.

Nothing the program collects is reused or resold. MobileMuster’s priority is to recover the majority of materials to use in the manufacture of new products.

What percentage of mobile phones can be recycled?

More than 95% of the materials in mobile phones (like metals, plastic and glass) can be recovered and used to make new products. Recycling keeps these materials in use and out of landfill, preventing hazardous items like mobile phone batteries from leaching toxic materials into the soil and groundwater.

Where can I recycle mobile phone chargers and batteries?

MobileMuster is a national recycling scheme for mobile phones and their accessories, which includes chargers and batteries. Use the directory on this page to find a drop-off location near you. Alternatively, you can post your mobile phones and accessories to MobileMuster for free by requesting a pre-paid satchel or picking one up from local Australia Post store.

Can I post my old mobile phones in to recycle?

Yes, MobileMuster offer a free mailing service for all Australians! Request a pre-paid satchel from MobileMuster or pick one up from local Australia Post store. If you would prefer to use your own packaging, you can download a pre-paid label and drop your package off at the post office or post box.

Why is it important to recycle old mobile phones?

Recycling old mobile phones has environmental, health and economic benefits.

Environmental:
• Reduces electronic waste to landfill which is harmful to the environment.
• Conserves valuable resources such as precious metals, which reduces the need to mine new materials.
• Reduces energy demand as it requires less energy than manufacturing with virgin materials.

Health benefits:
• Prevents toxic materials from entering the environment, which can have harmful effects on human health and wildlife.
• Recycling prevents pollution and improves air quality by reducing the demand for power used in mining, refining, processing and shipping of raw materials.

Economic:
• The recycling industry employs people to process and recover materials from old phones, creating jobs in communities.
• Recycling supports innovation by encouraging the development of new technologies for extracting valuable materials from existing items.



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