Hornsby Shire Council, located in the northern suburbs of Sydney, is MobileMuster’s National Local Government Recycling Champion for the second consecutive year.
Over the last 12 months, Hornsby’s drive-thru Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre collected 525 kilograms of mobile phones and accessories for recycling.
“The drive thru recycling centre makes it easy for residents to recycle a number of household items including mobile phones,” a MobileMuster statement reads.
According to Spyro Kalos, Head of MobileMuster, local government partnerships have helped the federally accredited product stewardship scheme gain an expansive geographic footprint in Australia.
The program strives to ensure mobile phone recycling is accessible, Kalos explained, with 96 per cent of Australians living within 10 kilometres of a MobileMuster drop off point.
“We welcome the commitment of local councils to partner with MobileMuster, helping deliver a program that is tailored to their community and delivers real environmental benefits,” Kalos said.
“Local governments are often the first point of contact for residents and small businesses who want to recycle tricky items like their mobile phones and accessories.
“In partnership with MobileMuster, councils can help Australians to safely and securely recycle their mobile phones through an accredited government program.”
While Hornsby Shire Council has achieved the “impressive result” a number of times, Mayor Philip Ruddock said credit belongs to Hornsby residents.
“I would like to thank all of them for what they have helped us do and for their continuing commitment to the cause,” he said.
Each year, MobileMuster recognises the top collecting councils from across the country.
This year, local councils contributed 5.5 tonnes of mobile phone components for recycling.
“The awards acknowledge the hard work and dedication undertaken by local government and its staff to support mobile phone recycling within their community,” the MobileMuster statement reads.
East Arnhem Regional Council took out the Northern Territory’s Local Government Recycling Champion award, after setting-up a monetary incentive to drive collections in their communities.
The City of Launceston was also recognised for a new custom-built recycling hub for residents to recycle in a central location.
Actsmart took out the ACT’s award after challenging Canberrans to take part in a world record attempt for the most phones recycled in one day.
Held as part of National Recycling Week, the Actsmart initiative saw 747 old phones collected.
“With e-waste growing at three times the rate of general waste in Australia, with 24.5 million old mobile phones stockpiled in drawers across the country, it is important to ensure all Australians have access to recycling in their local community,” the statement reads.
“It’s easy to get involved, and residents can recycle their old mobiles at one of MobileMuster’s 3500 drop off points across the country or choose to recycle from home using the free AusPost mailing options.”
MobileMuster, which collected and recycled 84.1 tonnes of mobile phone components in 2019, recovers over 95 per cent of the material it receives, which is then used to manufacture new products.
“All the metal, glass and plastic in your mobile phone has the potential for a second life,” the statement reads.
MobileMuster’s Local Government Recycling Champions 2020:
National – Hornsby Shire Council
Australian Capital Territory – Actsmart
New South Wales – Hornsby Shire Council
Northern Territory – East Arnhem Regional Council
Queensland – Cairns Regional Council
South Australia – Adelaide Hills Council
Tasmania – City of Launceston
Victoria – City of Monash
Western Australia – City of Stirling
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- The largest collection network: MobileMuster
- MobileMuster releases 2019 Annual Report
- MobileMuster announces top local government recyclers