Brisbane City Council, Lake Macquarie Council and Campbelltown City Council have been announced the top Councils in encouraging and boosting mobile phone recycling at the inaugural MobileMuster Local Government Awards. Australian of the Year and leading environmentalist, Professor Tim Flannery, presented the awards at the National General Assembly of the Australia Local Government Association in Darwin.
Lake Macquarie City Council won for Best Promoter, Campbelltown City Council for the Working with Schools Award and Brisbane City Council walked away with two prestigious awards – Top Recycler/Collector and the National Excellence Award.
Australian Local Government Association President, Councillor Paul Bell, said it is inspiring to see the Australian Mobile Telecommunication Association (AMTA) and their recycling program, MobileMuster, acknowledge the great efforts of participating Councils.
“Local Government plays a vital role in educating and managing waste and recycling at the local and regional level,” Councillor Bell said. “Councils are seen by residents as the first port of call for recycling information.”
Chris Althaus, Australian Mobile Telecommunication Association (AMTA) Chief Executive Officer, says it is very pleasing to have 230 local Councils actively supporting MobileMuster.
“As a result, the network of public collection points nationwide has grown to more than 3,000 of which 500 are local Council receptions, resource recovery centres, libraries and community centres, making recycling more convenient for everyone,” Chris Althaus said. “Councils’ participation in MobileMuster has assisted in growing awareness and the need to recycle old mobile phones, batteries and accessories.
“Awareness of mobile phone recycling has increased from 46 per cent to 79 per cent over the past two years. Part of this increase can be attributed to the efforts of Local Governments around Australia who have promoted MobileMuster via their websites, newsletters, Mayoral columns, community events, rates notices and through the media. As a result of this effort, collections have grown from 50 tonne to 86 tonne in the past 12 months alone.”
For further information, or if you are interested in registering your Council for the MobileMuster program, visit www.MobileMuster.com.au or contact 1300 730 070.
*Copy supplied by MobileMuster
