2014 MobileMuster Local Government Awards

MobileMuster, the Australian mobile phone industry’s official product stewardship program, is calling on local councils who have helped promote and collect mobile phones for recycling over the last year to nominate for the 2014 MobileMuster Local Government Awards. The awards were introduced in 2007 to recognise the outstanding efforts of local councils in promoting and collecting mobile phone components for recycling, ensuring they don’t end up in landfill.

“Councils play a major role in educating and making it easy for residents to recycle their old mobile phones,” said Rose Read, MobileMuster recycling manager. “In the 12 months to December 2013, local councils diverted over 2800 kg of mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories from landfill. However, with an estimated 23 million old mobile phones sitting in drawers either broken or unused around Australia, there is a lot of potential e-waste that could end up in landfill if not recycled.”

Read is encouraging all councils to nominate to participate in this year’s awards. This year there are five awards up for grabs, including:

• Best Promoter - Honours local initiatives that show creativity and innovation in promoting the MobileMuster program to the community.
• Working with Schools - Recognises the work undertaken by local government to encourage and support schools to learn about mobile phone recycling and participate in the MobileMuster Schools program.
• National Excellence - Celebrates excellence in community engagement and participation in the MobileMuster program.
• Top Collector (overall) - Based on the most mobile phone components by kg for the past 12 months to 30 April 2014.
• Top Collector (per capita) - Based on the most mobile phone components by kg/capita of local council area population for the past 12 months to 30 April 2014.

Nominations close on 30 May and the winning councils will be announced during the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on 17 June.

Entry forms and further information are available at http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/councils/local-government-awards/.