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.

Customers can expect to receive €20 to €60 for their phone, with better models fetching €150 to €250.

A spokesperson for a Dublin-based company said business had picked up by 50% since December. He added that the increase may also be due to the number of people who have lost their jobs. “Companies that have gone out of business, come in with as many as 20 or 30 phones that have been left behind by employees.”

One charity that relies heavily on the donations of used electronic goods, the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, said it collected more phones last year than ever. &

Managing director of Jack & Jill’s recycling partner Folamh, Stephen Bebbington, said this is because “the majority of people selling their phones online or otherwise are mostly in the 15-25 age group, while most of our donations come from school children or their parents”.

“But, if selling phones online does become a way of life, then yes there is a chance it will seriously impact charities such as Jack & Jill over the coming years.”

For every 250 phones collected, Jack & Jill provide intensive home nursing care for a sick child with brain damage for one month.