Mobile phones get recycled

11 October 2010 05:13 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Dialog Group Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility Senior Executive Dulip Tillekeratne addressing the media - Pic by Indraratne Balasuriya

By Sunimalee Dias
With the mobile population now at about 11 million currently, there are almost one million phone units in existence that are obsolete and could be recycled.
The minerals used in the making of a mobile phone unit can, if discarded, become damaging to the environment. Internationally classified under electronic waste as Mwaste, it is considered to be a hazardous form of waste.
These matters were brought to the fore by Dialog as the pioneer in assisting in recycling mobile phones used by Sri Lankans. The programme commenced in December 2007 together with the regulator and in partnership with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA).
Dialog Group Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility Senior Executive Dulip Tillekeratne speaking to the media said people are able to walk over to any of the Dialog arcades or certain selected repair shops and hand over their old mobile phones.
These will be inserted into a polyurethane bag used for disposal purposes and collected at its Piliyandala collection centre from where they will send it across to the Guangzhou province in China for recycling, he explained.
In the first year Dialog was able to make a collection of 12,000 phones weighing a total of 2.4 tonnes of Mwaste which in the second year increased by more than 2,000. The highest collection is from the Western Province.
Mobile phones, batteries and chargers can all be disposed at the collection points by customers, who are encouraged to do so as part of their responsibility towards the environment and the future, it was observed.
He noted that shifting some of their collection points to repair shops proved to be more successful as more customers were likely to hand them over at these places.
However, Tillekeratne noted it was not possible to have collection points at all places due to the sensitivity of the type of collection carried out and the responsibility attached to it.
In the face of certain challenges it was noted that the people's perception towards their own responsibility to the future's waste management was imperative and increased environmental consciousness was required.
Another key challenge is in carrying out the concept they are a part of namely: recycle, reduce and reuse while the focal point was in the collection of the mobile phones, which is necessary that it be within close proximity to the customers.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Mobile phones get recycled

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

New Visa procedure implemented

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

MIRROR CRICKET

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

TODAY'S HEADLINES

United States and SL Navy collaborate in CARAT 2024 exercise in Trincomalee

Upcountry estate workers stage a token strike

People have already selected Ranil for Presidency: Prasanna

Construction work for India-funded 10,000 housing units commenced

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations