DPA
Helsinki, July 8 (DPA) Only three percent of mobile phone users around the world recycle their old cellphones, Finnish handset maker Nokia said Tuesday. According to a global survey conducted by Nokia, only three percent of the 6,500 cellphone users interviewed in 13 countries said they recycle their cellphones.

Most old cellphones end up lying in the home or are thrown out with the rubbish, according to the “recycling survey” that covered Finland, Sweden, Britain, the US, Italy, Germany, Russia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, India, Indonesia, Brazil and Nigeria.

“If each of the three billion people globally owning mobiles brought back just one unused device we could save 240,000 tonnes of raw materials and reduce greenhouse gases to the same effect as taking four million cars off the road,” said Markus Terho, Nokia’s director of environmental affairs.

Half of those questioned said they did not know it was possible to recycle their old phones.

One-quarter said they gave their unused cellphones to friends or relatives, while 16 percent said they sold them.
DPA