BUSINESS DAY REPORT

Nokia moves to clean up electronic waste in Nigeria
Tuesday, 31 March 2009 00:16 Bill Okonedo

Nokia has hosted the local launch of its global programme to encourage mobile phone users to return old, broken and unused devices for recycling. The company has expanded its global “take back” programme to Nigeria and has placed “Take-Back” recycle bins in its Care Centres and designated retail outlets throughout the country. Between 65 and 80 percent of a Nokia mobile phone can be recycled and devices collected in the Nokia take-back bins will be forwarded to qualified recyclers for responsible reclaiming of the materials. The launch event took place in the Nokia Care Centre at Ahmodu Ojikutu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The local initiative forms part of Nokia’s global take-back scheme, which currently covers 85 countries. The campaign is not only calling for the return of old Nokia devices, but rather any manufacturer’s devices and accessories can be dropped in the bins.
Environmentalists have complained over the years that Nigeria is not taking proper cognisance of the harmful content of electronic waste. They add that some electronic waste contain lead, mercury and cadmium. It is said that less than a tea spoonful of cadmium is sufficient to poison a small lake.
“Throughout this year we will be running a major training and awareness program designed to ensure that staff working in Nokia Care Centres, operated on behalf of Nokia, take back unwanted devices and can advise consumers on recycling issues,” comments Kola Osinowo, Care Manager Nokia Nigeria.
Research conducted by Nokia in 2008 based on interviews with 6,500 people in 13 countries including Finland, Germany, Nigeria, Sweden, UK, United Arab Emirates and Brazil revealed that only 3 percent of people recycle their mobile phones despite the fact that most have old devices lying around at home that they no longer use or want.
Two thirds of the energy consumed by a mobile phone during its usage is lost when the phone is fully charged and unplugged but the charger is left connected to the mains. This is termed “no-load” mode. In an effort to reduce this energy loss, Nokia became the first mobile manufacturer to put alerts into phones encouraging people to unplug their chargers when not in use.