What do old mobiles and bandicoots have in common?

Well, nothing really, but a massive recycling campaign in Australian schools is benefiting bandicoots brilliantly.  Oh, pardon me, I should firstly explain that bandicoots are small, omnivorous marsupials found throughout Australia, their habitats are being threatened by drought, fires and introduced feral animals.

So, what has that got to do with recycling mobile phones you may well ask? It's quite a complex story actually, but let me explain.

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has been promoting the recycling of old mobile phones for years now. Their campaign is called MobileMuster. Old phones, batteries and chargers can dropped off at a multitude of collection sites around the country, collected by volunteers and charities and you can even send them using satchels supplied free by Australia Post and by downloading postage-free mailing labels.

The whole process from collection to destruction is run like a military exercise and all components that can be recycled are. AMTA has even created a contest for school children called 'I can do that'. MobileMuster joined with Landcare Australia and for every 30kg of mobile phones and accessories collected by schools in the ‘I can do that’ schools recycling challenge, MobileMuster donates $100 to Landcare Australia to help to restore a bandicoot’s habitat. This includes tree planting and predator proof fencing, as well as creating community awareness.

The 164 schools participating in the ‘I can do that’ schools recycling challenge collected a massive 849 kg of mobile phone components

This means that MobileMuster together with Landcare Australia will be able to help protect and restore the habitats of at least twenty-nine bandicoots (presumably some will miss out this time). But what a great result and what a creative way for our industry to help the environment!