Q & A
Spyro Kalos. John Gertsakis.
MOBILEMUSTER Spyro Kalos Manager
Who is MobileMuster
MobileMuster is the only not-for-profit government-accredited mobile phone recycling program. Set up in 1998 by the telecommunications industry to ensure old mobiles didn’ t end up in landfill by providing an end-of-life solution for mobiles, along with their batteries chargers and accessories. The program is voluntarily funded by Microsoft, Samsung, Motorola, HTC, Huawei, ZTE, Alcatel One Touch and all the carriers Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Virgin Mobile.
How is MobileMuster harnessing innovative practices to support their core business?
MobileMuster has developed innovative partnerships with re-use programs and other product stewardship programs, allowing us to share collection networks providing economies of scale. It is an effective way for MobileMuster to expand its collection channels and at the same time grow available collections of mobile phones and accessories. The value of creating innovative partnerships also means that we can provide integrated solutions for the home and businesses. A great example is the development of the Storage King e-waste recycle box, developed in partnership with Storage King and EcoActiv, it gives a one-stop end-of-life solution for a number of electronic products including mobile phones. Available through Storage King outlets around the country.
Why partner with MobileMuster?
MobileMusters’ members pay a levy on each handset that they import into Australia. This way the industry provides access to a free recycling service to consumers and business. Everything collected by the program is recycled to the highest environmental standard, with over 95 % of the material in mobiles recovered and returned to the supply chain to make new products. Nothing is ever reused or resold and any data left on mobiles is destroyed in the recycling process.
How does MobileMuster protect data?
MobileMuster understands the importance of data security when it comes to mobile phones in the workplace. Even though all data is destroyed in the recycling process, MobileMuster offers additional services for business at a small cost for further peace of mind. This includes IMEI Checking and high-grade data wiping prior to recycling. For more information contact the team at MobileMuster on 1300 730 070 or visit www. mobilemuster. com. au
INFOACTIV / ECOACTIV John Gertsakis Chief Sustainability Officer
How is Australia performing on electronic waste?
We have come along way since the start of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme in 2011. Despite criticism from the naysayers, more than 1800 collection services have been made available to the public and more than 130,000 tonnes of TV and computer waste have been collected and recycled under the scheme. This a great outcome when it comes to diverting hazardous materials away from landfill and recovering resources for re-use manufacture. The Commonwealth Environment Department, co-regulatory arrangements, brands, participating councils and recyclers, should feel very positive about their achievements. The scope for improvement however is considerable. Australia needs to rapidly move towards take-back solutions that deal with all electrical and electronic products, including power tools, batteries and renewable technology hardware such as energy storage, solar panels and inverters. As usual, MobileMuster sets the highest stewardship benchmark when it comes to mobile phone collection, recycling, and educational activities.
Why is battery recycling the new Product Stewardship hot spot?
The need for a permanent national battery collection and recycling scheme is well overdue. Community expectations for an industryfunded solution are growing rapidly, as is the need to get batteries out of the waste stream. Some batteries contain hazardous substances and we need to ensure these do not contaminate other recyclable waste streams. Research by Planet Ark and the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative, also reinforce the demand from consumers and progressive retailers to provide in-store solutions for battery recycling. Current work by the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection is engaging key brands and retailers in the design of a national program, and their work is to be commended. Given the momentum building behind battery stewardship by numerous key stakeholders, it is likely that current industry engagement activities will deliver a positive outcome. If not, the CSR commitment of battery brands remains in question.
How does the circular economy relate to Australia?
Working towards the circular economy provides many opportunities for Australia across sectors and industries. However, it is much more than rebranding old-school recycling projects! It requires system redesign, greater attention to deep innovation as well as business transformation inside and out. A major focus on service design that dematerialises products is also essential. Most importantly, a circular economy demands that we focus on upstream priorities including design, supply chain greening, low emission logistics, reuse, extended product life, and environmentally driven consumer innovations. There is much for all of us to do in achieving a circular economy but the benefits are diverse, ecologically necessary and economically responsible.
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