Nokia to recycle old phones

A recent study shows that only 3 percent of people recycle their mobile phones, despite the fact that most have old devices lying around at home that they no longer want

At least three out of every four people added that they don't consider recycling their devices, and nearly half were unaware that it was possible to do.

The survey is based on interviews with 6,500 people in 13 countries, including Finland, Germany, Italy, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States, Nigeria, India, China, Indonesia and Brazil.

It was conducted to help Nokia find out more about consumers' attitudes and behaviours towards recycling, and inform the company's take-back programs and efforts to increase recycling rates of unused mobile devices.

At a news conference to launch the take back campaign in Accra last week, Ngozi Efe Anene, Communications Manager of Nokia, Nigeria, noted that up to 80 percent of any Nokia device was recyclable, and precious materials within it can be reused to help make new products such as kitchen kettles, park benches, dental fillings, or even saxophones and other metal musical instruments.

She noted that the move by Nokia was part of its contribution to reduce e-waste in the country.

She directed that people could drop off their old devices at Nokia stores and Care Centers dotted around the country, but stressed that customers who drop off their old phones, accessories or batteries, would not be paid, but given a token as appreciation.

The occasion was also used to launch the Nokia 6303 and 2700 phones in the country.