Recycle your old mobile phone…and get paid for it!

Having been in London for the last couple of months,  I have gained a new healthy respect for hi tech phones and devices. Not only is everything available to purchase at the touch of internet button from the comfort of your own home, but there is a huge drive in recycling your old mobile phone (s) broken or not - and wait for it - receive up to GBP200 for the pleasure!

There are a few British companies to name but a few like envirofone.com, mobile2cash.com and fonebank.com that currently offers this facility online. After establishing what type of mobile you have and the price tag, a freepost envelope will be forwarded to you in order for your phone to be posted and arrive safely at its last destination. 10 days later you will receive confirmation of a deposit in your bank account.

Why can’t we operate such a service in SA? This innovative trading platform would encourage a healthy respect for recycling goods, de-clutter homes and offices as well as enhance corporate responsibility. And of course, the incentive to continually upgrade your phone prior to the renewal of your contract. (Bonus to Iphone, Nokia, Samsung etc)

So the slogan “Save money and Save the planet” really does pay off in mobile terms as well as in times of recession.

There is also talk of a universal phone charger – one size fits all so to speak - but as yet only certain mobile companies have come to the party. This will only be available in any case after 2010 so continue using your portable mobile phone chargers in the interim to save on power. 

The above green initiatives have been highlighted even further due to the presence of the 2012 Olympics in the , causing more people to really think about how they can lower their output, fuel emission and generally save on power in the long term and become more environmentally friendly.