Residents Encouraged to Recycle Old CDMA Mobile Phones

The CDMA network is closing down on 28 January 2008 and the City of Melville and MobileMuster – the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association’s recycling program – are calling on the community to recycle their old CDMA mobile phones and accessories.

Residents can drop off their handsets, batteries, chargers and accessories at collection points at the City of Melville or post them free of charge to MobileMuster.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the closure of the CDMA network meant many Melville residents would be replacing their old CDMA mobile phones. “It is important that as a community we don’t leave these lying around at home or in the office or worse still putting them in the rubbish,” he said. “Mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories are not biodegradable and should not be thrown in the rubbish bin where they will end up in landfill.”

MobileMuster Manager Rose Read said more than 90 per cent of the materials in mobiles could be recovered and reused. “Mobile phones contain many useful metals like copper, silver and gold as well as plastic that can be recovered,” she said. “The CDMA mobile you are using today could be part of a plastic fence post you are installing next year.”

MobileMuster drop-off points are located at the City of Melville Operations Centre (reception) in Bramanti Road, Murdoch and the Melville Civic Centre (foyer) at 10 Almondbury Road, Booragoon.

To locate other MobileMuster drop-off points or to download a free post reply-paid label, visit www.mobilemuster.com.au or phone 1300 730 070.