§         Recycling of Mobile Phones & Accessories

  Driven by its Passion for the World around us and especially its great concern for the protection of the environment, Vodafone has developed the program Recycling of mobiles & accessories.

Starting on the 5th of June 2003, the Global Environmental Day, Vodafone - first in Greece – gives the greek market the possibility to take action for the protection of the environment. The mobile telephony users – of any operator – can bring to the Vodafone Shops Chain any mobile phone or accessory that is of no use, avoiding thus to throw  it away.

§         Why should I recycle the mobile phones & accessories that I don’t use any more?

The mobile phone consists of parts made of plastic and metals, while the battery contains elements which if disposed of in our house trash, will pollute the environment.

For example, the quantity of cadmium contained in the nickel - cadmium batteries could pollute the 1/3 of the water of an Olympic size swimming pool!

§         What happens to my mobile phone then?

Vodafone, believing in the principle ‘’reduce, reuse, recycle’’, sends all collected items to a recycling company specialized in the recycling of this kind of materials. The mobile phones that are collected by the recycling company, are processed and accordingly:

·         If they are repairable, they are made available for re-use in underdeveloped countries,

·         If they are not repairable (majority), they are sent for recycling, along with the batteries and all accessories.

What does recycling mean? It means that they are carefully broken down and recycled for the production of other objects, according to the European Community legislation and the forthcoming WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive.

The derived materials – after the recycling – can be used for the production of various objects. Examples are:

Ø      The copper can be used for the production of pipes,

Ø      The nickel can be used for the production of saucepans,

Ø      The microprocessors can be used in microwave ovens or other electronic devices,

Ø      LCD displays, if intact, can be used in clocks or cookers,

Ø       Even the parts that are made of mixed plastic and metal – which are difficult to recycle – are incinerated to generate energy.

§         What are the benefits of recycling my mobile phone & accessory?

All the proceeds derived from the mobile phones & accessories recycling, are directly donated to the Environmental Organization “Clean up Greece” (Ellada Kathari), for the conduct of programs for the protection of the environment.

§         Who is the Environmental Organization “Clean up Greece’’ (Ellada Kathari)?

The Environmental Organization “Clean up Greece’’ (Ellada Kathari), is a non-governmental, non-profit organization based in Athens, active since 1993.

The aims of the Organization are the improvement of the current environmental status, through disseminating information, creating public awareness, and mobilizing the Greek public into actions regarding environmental issues, like cleaning up of coasts, tree planting etc.

So, apart from the fact that all of us will contribute to the protection of the environment – by avoiding throwing mobile phones and relevant accessories to the trash – we will also support various environmental initiatives.

§         What can I recycle?

All mobile phones and relevant accessories, like chargers, hands-free sets, batteries, car kit sets, plastic / leather cases, front covers etc are suitable for the recycling program. 

§         How can I dispose of my mobile phone & accessories in an environmentally safe way?

The collection of the mobile phones and accessories will be carried out in the Vodafone Shops Chain, in the specially designed recycling bins. As an acknowledgement, Vodafone will offer a symbolic gift to all participants who will respond to this call for the protection of the environment.

 The above applies not only for the Vodafone subscribers, but for all the friends of the environment.