Mobile phone collection, reuse and recycling in the UK

► We characterized the key features of the voluntary UK mobile phone takeback network via a survey. ► We identified 3 flows: information; product (handsets and accessories); and incentives. ► There has been a significant rise in the number of UK takeback schemes since 1997. ► Most returned handsets...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Waste management (Elmsford) 2011-06, Vol.31 (6), p.1307-1315
Main Authors: Ongondo, F.O., Williams, I.D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ADVERTISING
Applied sciences
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
BUSINESS
Cell Phone
Cell phones
Charities
Collection
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
EUROPE
Exact sciences and technology
General treatment and storage processes
Incentives
INDUSTRY
Information Dissemination
MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
MANUFACTURERS
MARKETERS
METALS
Motivation
Networks
Other wastes and particular components of wastes
Pollution
POSTAL SERVICES
Program Evaluation
RECOMMENDATIONS
RECYCLING
Recycling - methods
Recycling - statistics & numerical data
RETAILERS
Reuse
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SHORTAGES
UNITED KINGDOM
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Waste Products
WASTES
WESTERN EUROPE
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Summary:► We characterized the key features of the voluntary UK mobile phone takeback network via a survey. ► We identified 3 flows: information; product (handsets and accessories); and incentives. ► There has been a significant rise in the number of UK takeback schemes since 1997. ► Most returned handsets are low quality; little data exists on quantities of mobile phones collected. ► Takeback schemes increasingly divert EoL mobile phones from landfill and enable reuse/recycling. Mobile phones are the most ubiquitous electronic product on the globe. They have relatively short lifecycles and because of their (perceived) in-built obsolescence, discarded mobile phones represent a significant and growing problem with respect to waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). An emerging and increasingly important issue for industry is the shortage of key metals, especially the types of metals found in mobile phones, and hence the primary aim of this timely study was to assess and evaluate the voluntary mobile phone takeback network in the UK. The study has characterised the information, product and incentives flows in the voluntary UK mobile phone takeback network and reviewed the merits and demerits of the incentives offered. A survey of the activities of the voluntary mobile phone takeback schemes was undertaken in 2008 to: identify and evaluate the takeback schemes operating in the UK; determine the target groups from whom handsets are collected; and assess the collection, promotion and advertising methods used by the schemes. In addition, the survey sought to identify and critically evaluate the incentives offered by the takeback schemes, evaluate their ease and convenience of use; and determine the types, qualities and quantities of mobile phones they collect. The study has established that the UK voluntary mobile phone takeback network can be characterised as three distinctive flows: information flow; product flow (handsets and related accessories); and incentives flow. Over 100 voluntary schemes offering online takeback of mobile phone handsets were identified. The schemes are operated by manufacturers, retailers, mobile phone network service operators, charities and by mobile phone reuse, recycling and refurbishing companies. The latter two scheme categories offer the highest level of convenience and ease of use to their customers. Approximately 83% of the schemes are either for-profit/commercial-oriented and/or operate to raise funds for charities. The volu
ISSN:0956-053X
1879-2456
DOI:10.1016/j.wasman.2011.01.032