Vodafone and MobileMuster team up to tackle e-waste

Australians generate around 500,000 tonnes of unused technology each year, but uncertainty over how to dispose of it continues to fuel the nation’s e-waste crisis, which is nearly triple the global average.

New figures from MobileMuster reveal that there are more than 23 million mobile phones estimated to be sitting idle in drawers in homes nationwide, with 13 million of those being broken or unusable. A lack of education on proper disposal leaves many devices in limbo.

To help Australians tackle the e-waste issue, Vodafone is spotlighting two easy ways to clear out tech clutter: its device trade-in program and its free recycling program in partnership with MobileMuster.

“As Australians start purchasing new technology as holiday gifts, we want to show how clearing out that drawer of old, unused devices can be a great way to score some extra value,” said Ian Lilley, Head of Sustainability at Vodafone.

“Many people don’t realise their old phone could be worth hundreds via trade-in, or that the materials can be recycled safely and responsibly by dropping them at one of the MobileMuster collection bins at a Vodafone store.

“This holiday season we want our customers to know it’s easy to clear out the clutter, get credit in your pocket and do something positive for the planet.”

Vodafone’s trade-in program allows customers to unlock the value of their old devices, which can then be refurbished, resold or recycled.

Customers can trade in eligible phones, smartwatches and tablets in three simple steps:

1. Get a quote: Visit the Vodafone trade-in website to get an instant estimate.
2. Visit a store: Bring your device to any Vodafone store for a final assessment.
3. Get credit: Receive instant credit for a new device or apply it to your monthly bill.
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For devices that aren’t eligible for trade-in, Vodafone stores serve as free recycling drop-off points through its longstanding partnership with MobileMuster.

Up to 95% of materials from old devices including gold, copper, lithium and glass are recovered and recycled into new products like sunglasses, electronics, batteries and materials for roads.

Since 2024, Vodafone has seen a 55% year-on-year increase in customers recycling electronics through MobileMuster, with nearly 27,000 devices recycled since last year.

“Every recycled device is an opportunity to recover valuable resources,” said David Robb, Head of Operations at MobileMuster.

“Our partnership with Vodafone has been instrumental in diverting over 102 tonnes of e-waste from landfill since 2018. By providing an incentive through trade-in, and by making mobile phone recycling accessible with MobileMuster, Vodafone is helping solve the e-waste challenge, one device at a time.”

Vodafone is encouraging all Australians to visit their local store to assess the value of their old devices or to drop off older devices for free and responsible recycling.

Image credit: iStock.com/baranozdemir