China's "Green Box" Initiative Collects 30,000 Old Mobile Phones

Strategic Insights -

China has one of the fastest growing cell phone markets, and with it comes a pressing concern: electronic waste. Major mobile phone manufacturers have launched a project called "Green Box" to collect and dispose of used mobile phones and accessories safely. This initiative aims to prevent environmental and health hazards associated with electronic waste.

Key Takeaways:

  • The "Green Box" project is a joint effort between China Mobile, Nokia, and Motorola to collect and recycle retired mobile phones and accessories.
  • The project has collected over 30,000 old mobile phones and their accessories since its inception late last year.
  • China has nearly 400 million mobile phone users, with about 70 million phones replaced every year.
  • The main objective of the project is to encourage mobile phone users to dispose of their unwanted phones in an eco-friendly manner.
  • Special boxes were set out across China at about 1,000 branches of China Mobile, as well as 150 sales shops and maintenance centres of Nokia and Motorola.
  • Collected phones can be either disposed of by the manufacturers using non-toxic methods or undergo facelifts by professional maintenance shops for reuse.

Statistics:

  • Over 30,000 old mobile phones and their accessories have been collected since the project began.
  • China has nearly 400 million mobile phone users.
  • About 70 million mobile phones are replaced every year.
  • 1,000 branches of China Mobile are participating in the project.
  • 150 sales shops and maintenance centres of Nokia and Motorola are collecting unused mobile phones.

Sources:

  • PTI, "China collects old mobile phones to prevent electronic waste" (May 1)
  • China Daily, quoted in PTI, "China collects old mobile phones to prevent electronic waste" (no date specified)