Charities lose out as consumers sell mobiles

CASH-strapped consumers are selling their old mobile phones to recycling companies for as little as €5, rather than donate them directly to charity.

The phone recycling business, which has boomed in Britain recently due to environmental awareness and increased financial pressures, is beginning to surge here after companies recorded a significant increase in Irish customers.

One British-based phone recycling company, Envirofone, said it has purchased almost €4.15 million worth of mobiles from the Republic since September 2009.