Local Councils that have excelled in supporting MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, will be honoured at this month’s National General Assembly in Darwin.
The inaugural MobileMuster Local Government Awards, presented by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), will recognise Councils for their outstanding efforts in recycling mobile
phones over the last 12 months. There will be four awards, including the National Excellence Award for the local Council that has proactively promoted and creatively engaged its community in mobile phone recycling as well as actively collecting mobile phones.
Australian Local Government Association President, Councillor Paul Bell, said Councils play a major role in educating local communities about waste and recycling.
“Over 220 local Councils are now actively part of MobileMuster, with the program enhancing Councils’ recycling services offered to their residents,” Councillor Bell said.
Chris Althaus, Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association CEO said AMTA has been impressed with the rapid increase in Council participation over the last year.
“We congratulate all the councils in helping us collect over 466 tonnes of handsets, batteries, chargers and accessories since the recycling program started in late 1999. This includes almost 2.8 million batteries and handsets,” Chris Althaus said.
Australian of the Year and leading environmentalist, Professor Tim Flannery will present the Awards on the final day of the Assembly.
“More than 90 per cent of the plastics and metals in mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories recovered during the recycling can be turned into items such as jewellery, stainless steel products and plastic fence posts,” added Chris Althaus. “By promoting mobile phone recycling, local Councils are playing a critical role in recovering essential metals and plastics for reuse, preventing potentially harmful substances ending up in landfill, and reducing society’s demand on our precious natural resources.”
The nominations for the four categories will be announced at the official Welcome Reception sponsored by MobileMuster on Monday 26 November at the Local Government Expo.
For Councils wishing to find out more on MobileMuster or to join the program visit www.mobilemuster.com.au or call 1300 730 070.
*Copy supplied by MobileMuster
