For Immediate Use
7 January 2005
HELP THE TSUNAMI VICTIMS WITH YOUR OLD MOBILE!
VICTIMS in tsunami-stricken areas are set to receive a helping hand through the recycling of old mobile phones and printer cartridges.
The recent earthquake off the coast of Sumatra has led to an estimated 150,000 deaths, with thousands more injured or forced to flee their homes - and leading recycling company Eurosource has launched a nationwide appeal to help.
The company, which specialises in running charity recycling appeals, has pledged to swap old mobiles and printer cartridges for cash which will go straight to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). This umbrella organisation is responsible for co-ordinating the UK's national appeal in response to major overseas disasters.
If you received a new mobile phone for Christmas, you have the power to help by simply donating your old one to the appeal. And if you work in an office, don't bin those old cartridges - they too can help.
John Speake, chairman of Eurosource, said: "This is the biggest earthquake for 40 years, causing a tsunami which spread thousands of kilometres and left a massive path of destruction.
"Images of the disaster have shocked the people of the UK, and I am inviting them to help by donating items which are often regarded as rubbish. Don't bin your old phones and cartridges - send them to us and we'll ensure that cash from each item recycled goes straight to the DEC.
"Eurosource specialises in raising money for charities, and has raised almost £1.5million since its inception in 1999. This sum has been shared between reputable charities including Marie Curie Cancer Care, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and the Royal National Institute of the Blind, and I hope that we can have as much success bringing in funds to donate to the DEC."
Different mobiles and cartridges are worth different sums of money depending on various factors, like model, age and condition. Eurosource has created a dedicated website where you can find out which mobiles and cartridges can be recycled, and how much will be given to the DEC for each one - www.recyclingappeal.com/tsunami
If you want to help the Tsunami Recycling Appeal, all you have to do is call 08712 50 50 50 for a freepost bag. Drop your old phones and cartridges in the bag and pop it in the post - easy!
As well as helping this worthwhile cause, you'll be helping the environment by preventing these items from ending up in landfill sites where they can cause pollution. So what are you waiting for? Phone for a freepost bag today.
Eurosource
1. Redeem Plc trading as Eurosource Europe is five years old, has an annual turnover of £3 million and employs 100 staff in the UK, Ireland, France and Spain.
2. The company has won 'Best Inspirational Business for CSR 2004' through SBC, 'Best International Business in the Forth Valley 2004' and 'Best Performing Business in Scotland 2003' through Scottish Enterprise. The company was also a finalist for 'Business of the Year'
at the National Business Awards for Scotland as well as finalist for the coveted National Business Awards (London) 'CSR Award'.
3. The company has recycled almost 2 million kg of mobile phone and printer cartridges since 1999.
4. The company is ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 9001 (Quality Management), EMAS (Eco Management Audit Scheme) and Investors In People accredited.
Mobile Phone Recycling
1. In the next four years, Europe could recycle 50,000 tons of mobile phones - the same weight as the Forth Rail Bridge.
2. Nicad batteries contain Cadmium, a dangerous toxic and carcinogenic substance. The quantity in landfill sites is significant, and toxic contamination is caused by the effects of Cadmium leaking into surrounding soils. Cadmium poisoning can cause kidney failure in humans.
Printer Cartridge Recycling
1. Printer Ink costs more than vintage champagne; manufacturers charge consumers around £1.70 per millilitre of printer ink compared to 23p per millilitre for 1985 Dom Perignon. However, if you purchase remanufactured printer cartridges you can pay as little as 10% of the printer ink price.
2. An inkjet cartridge takes hundreds of years to biodegrade.
3. It takes 1.5 pints of oil to make one printer cartridge. The 17 million laser cartridges recycled in Europe in 2002 resulted in the saving of 6 million litres of virgin oil which would fill three Olympic sized swimming pools.