Recycling? Wassat? Say numpty UK mobile phone users

Davey Winder
Wednesday, 09 July 2008 02:56

Your IT - Mobility

Only one in ten mobile phone users in the UK recycle their old handsets, and nearly a fifth are unaware it is even possible, according to the results of research published today by Nokia. That, unfortunately, is the good news!

Nokia commissioned a survey on consumer attitude and behaviour concerning the recycling of mobile phone handsets, and to get a message out about its own take back programmes to increase recycling rates. Today, Nokia made the results of that survey known.

Based upon interviews with 6,500 people across 13 countries including the United Kingdom, the survey discovered that on average people in the UK have owned five mobile phones each. Despite this, Nokia says, very few ever get recycled when no longer being used after an upgrade. In fact, only 9 percent said that they had recycled their old mobile phone.

Thankfully, as far as the environment is concerned, only 3 percent are being thrown into landfill, The majority, a whopping big 48 percent, are simply stuck in a drawer and kept at home without ever being used again. Only 8 percent are putting their old handsets up on eBay or selling them through some other outlet, and 19 percent pass them on to friends or family.

Shockingly, a massive two thirds of consumers in the United Kingdom simply said that they do not even think about recycling old mobile phones. I say shockingly because 88 percent admitted that they think recycling makes a difference to the environment.

Many of these users, some 36 percent in fact, said that they had no idea how to go about recycling a phone. The real numpty UK mobile users stepped forward in the shape of 17 percent of those surveyed who said they did not realise it was even possible to recycle a handset!

How does the UK fare when compared to other countries when it comes to recycling mobile handsets? Read on to find out...

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