Mobile Lifecycles

GSMA estimates that about 896 million mobile phones will be sold in 2006, about 50% of these will be replacement phones, and about 1 in 10 new customers will use a 'used' phone. We also estimate that more than 20 million phones will be collected for reuse or recycling; those that cannot be repaired will compose less than 0.003% of the total annual weight of the waste electronic equipment. Typically, more than 70% of a mobile phone can be recycled and design innovations by manufacturers are eliminating the use of hazardous materials in new phones.

Mobile telecommunications operators recognise the environmental responsibilities associated with new and used mobile phones. Indeed, industry led take-back schemes have existed in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the USA since the late 1990s and predate legislative requirements. There are now provisions for collection of used phones in at least 40 countries, including several in Africa and Latin America.

When it comes to mobile phone take-back, refurbishment and reuse is preferential to recycling, as it extends the life of the product. On average more than 70% of collected handsets from developed countries can be refurbished and most are sold in developing countries at prices that can vary significantly, an indicative range is US$30-40.

GSMA believes that more needs to be done by all stakeholders. Governments can ensure that regulatory approaches are proportionate; reward good practice, avoid unnecessary bureaucracy and tackle dumping of waste electronic equipment in countries without the necessary recycling infrastructure. Each of us can ensure we return old mobile phones through recognised take-back schemes rather than throwing them away.

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