DON'T DUMP IT - DONATE IT!
Manager of Information Services at Strathbogie Shire Council, Richard Bianco donates some of Council's old mobile phones to be recycled.
Strathbogie Shire Council has joined Scope and the Aussie Recycling Program (ARP) to help control the dumping of millions of unwanted mobile telephones from leaking highly toxic chemicals into landfill. Scope will receive a donation of $4 for every unwanted mobile telephone collected, whether a phone is working or not. The partnership is an initiative of the Fundraising department of Scope. Currently there is an estimated 12 million unused mobile telephones in over 70% of households throughout Australia.
The DON'T DUMP IT, DONATE IT campaign began in 2004 and was carefully planned to ascertain that best recycling practices are applied. ARP guarantees that it tracks every piece of donated mobile telephone and ensures it is recycled through a responsible process. It is unacceptable to all parties that any piece of a telephone would be used in landfill.
"Fundraising is one of the greatest ongoing challenges facing not-for-profit organisations," said Diana Heggie, Chief Executive Officer of Scope. "The fact that Scope can raise funds through a program that is environmentally friendly and involves key community partners such as Councils, adds enormous value to the DON'T DUMP IT, DONATE IT program. We encourage anyone to join Scope in its commitment to mobile telephone recycling by providing collection points for the program at many Council offices, schools and community organisations who are partnering in the program."
A drop-off station can be found at Strathbogie Shire Council's office in Binney Street. Individual free-post satchels or collection of larger quantities of mobile telephones can be arranged by calling Scope on 1800 815 768.
For more information: Marli Kelly on 0409 410 178
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858