Fonebak

There are an estimated 49 million mobile phone subscribers in the UK. Over 15 million mobile phones are replaced in the UK each year. Some are returned for trade-in, but millions end up in drawers and toy boxes or in landfill where they can potentially harm the environment. The average handset is replaced every 18 months, but they are designed by the manufacturer to last for seven to ten years.

We are very fortunate in the UK because our network providers subsidise the cost of the mobile phones so we often get them at a low cost (or for free). Most countries aren’t so fortunate. New phones which we take for granted are often prohibitively expensive in developing countries.

Some phones are broken beyond repair or are too old for resale. These will be recycled. Those that can will be refurbished and resold in developing countries.

For every re-usable phone donated we receive £4. To donate your old mobile simply drop it in to our office at St Silas Church Building, Clifford Street, Byker, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 1PG.