MobileMuster – the not-for-profit, mobile telecommunications industry recycling program – proudly announced the winners of the 2013 Local Government Awards presented at the National General Assembly of Local Government in June.
Presented by well-known Australian journalist Peter Fitzsimons, five councils from around Australia were recognised for their commitment to keeping old mobiles in their local area out of landfill.
The councils presented with awards were:
Top Collector Overall: City of Monash (VIC)
Top Collector Per Capita: Bruce Rock Shire Council (WA)
Best Promoter: Camden Council (NSW)
Working with Schools: The Hills Shire (NSW)
National Excellence: City of Vincent (WA)
Since the Local Government Awards commenced in 2007, MobileMuster has opened up the awards nominations to over 340 councils that work in partnership with the recycling program.
Recycling Manager of MobileMuster, Rose Read, said MobileMuster last year recycled over 117 tonnes of old mobile phone components.
“We work closely with our council partners to ensure that their local communities have easy, free access to mobile phone recycling in their local area.
“Recycling through the program last year replaced the need to mine over 1,165 tonnes of precious metals and had the environmental benefit of planting 5,600 trees – our council partners play an important part in this impact.”
MobileMuster supplies its council partners with a range of support materials including recycling boxes or tubes, communication materials, and PR and social media opportunities to promote the free service to their communities.
“Recently we have expanded our collection methods by trialling a new lockable eco-bin for old mobiles and accessories that sits alongside TV and computer collection units at two resource management centres in Canberra – creating a one stop e-waste recycling point for communities.
“The eco-bin is just one way that MobileMuster is innovating to make mobile recycling even easier for consumers so they can recycle all their items in one place and we are keen to extend this free service to other councils across Australia.”
For more information about the award nominees, winners and how your council can get involved visit www.mobilemuster.com.au
