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Vodafone and Telecom are urging people to recycle their old mobiles.
Vodafone spokesman Raphael Hilbron said an estimated one million mobiles were unused in New Zealand -- "probably sitting in people's drawers or boxes at home".
"The challenge for us is to educate our customers to recycle their unused phones. It's not just the right thing to do for the environment -- someone else in another part of the world could be benefiting from their old phone."
Vodafone had collected about 150,000 phones in the past few years.
Telecom environmental manager Steve Kerr said the company had been encouraging customers to recycle their phones and accessories since 2001 as part of its sustainable business practices.
In the year to date, it had collected about 90,000kg of electronic waste, including mobile phones, chargers and modems.
"When recycling, we encourage people to check that the mobile is disconnected and that the phone memory has been cleared of contacts and that the SIM card has been removed, if it has one," Mr Kerr said.
"We really want people to look after the environment we all live and work in. One way we can do this is by spreading the word to our family and friends to encourage them to hand in their unused phones."
Telecom phones can be handed in at any Telecom, Orb or Leading Edge retail store, while Vodafone provides collection bins in its retails stores as well as a freepost service: Vodafone Handset Recycling Programme, Private Bag 92222, Auckland Mail Centre.
- NZPA
