Vodafone UK has extended its recycling initiative with the help of Global Cool whose A-list celebrity ambassadors including Kate Bosworth, Sienna Miller and Rosario Dawson. The aim is to encourage as many people as possible to hand their old phones into a Vodafone store for recycling and reuse. All funds raised will be donated to Global Cool, the environmental campaign committed to helping people reduce their personal CO2 emissions. The aim is to inspire 1 billion people to reduce their annual carbon footprint by at least one tonne of CO2, therefore slowing down the global warming caused by our emissions.
“Vodafone has been recycling phones for some time now,” said Tim Yates, Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone UK. “Currently 90 million handsets are being sent to landfill every year – a crying shame when you think that 65-85% can be either recycled or reused. We believe its important to make sure our customers know what they can do to prevent this continuing which is why we want to put some extra energy behind the campaign and give it a real boost. We are extremely excited by our partnership with Global Cool and want our customers to share our enthusiasm.”
The initiative is simple and open to everyone. Recycling bins are available in all Vodafone stores and Vodafone will accept any old mobile, unwanted chargers or other equipment. Alternatively customers can simply slip their old handsets into the freepost envelope which they receive when they upgrade their phones.
Many handsets which are in good condition can be refurbished for re-sale in lower income countries. Given that mobile networks now reach more people than the fixed line alternative this has the added benefit of enabling individuals who previously had little access to communications greater contact with a wider world.
“Global Cool is delighted to have the support of Vodafone. We are on a mission to save our planet and Vodafone’s reach and influence with its customers will help us. If we can get one million people in the UK to sign up to MYCO2 on our website, we are well on the way to achieving our goal,” said Julian Knight, Chairman and CEO of Global Cool.
Some of the funds raised will be used to support the Global Cool campaign to encourage people to do simple things to reduce their personal CO2 emissions and some will go to promote the use of solar devices in Zambia.
Dr Tariq Ali. Research Director, Energy and Environment Office, Imperial College London said “Global Cool has enabled the corporate weight of Vodafone and the public profiles of celebrities such as Sienna and Rosario to team up and call for public action. Simply recycling your old phones will make a difference resulting in real projects on the ground. This can only be good for the environment. I commend this initiative.”
Notes to editors
Vodafone is compliant with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations
For further information please contact:
Vodafone Group Media Relations (UK) on 0845 4444466 or email: press.office@vodafone.com
About Vodafone
Vodafone UK has 17.4 million customers and is part of the world’s leading international mobile telecommunications Group, offering a wide range of voice and data communications. The company is committed to providing mobile solutions that allow both consumer and business customers to make the most of now. In addition, Vodafone connects customers across the globe with roaming agreements worldwide. It provides 3G roaming in 29 countries and offers great roaming value with Vodafone Passport. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.co.uk.
About Global Cool
Global Cool is a planet saving campaign backed by scientists and celebrities with a target to reduce world-wide annual CO2 emissions by one billion tonnes. Engaging people at work, home and play, Global Cool shows people how to make small changes to their lifestyles, which collectively make a big difference to the environment. Global Cool uses the money it receives from commercial partnerships and charitable donations to invest in clean, renewable energy projects around the world and by purchasing government regulated carbon credits backed by the Kyoto Protocol and European Emissions Trading Scheme. For more information on how to become a planet saver, please visit www.globalcool.org.