March 8th, 2012

Unwanted mobile phones support Starship Hospital

Auckland’s Starship children’s hospital is to benefit from the collection of unwanted mobile phones in Hastings.

The phones are being collected at the libraries in Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere and will be refurbished and then onsold, with a percentage of the proceeds going to Starship Hospital to fund care for sick children.

District Libraries Manager Paula Murdoch says “This is an easy and environmentally friendly way of getting rid of your old mobile phones. Many people have mobile phones which they don’t want but they are still in reasonable condition and with a little bit of work, can be restored to good condition.”

Paula Murdoch says “Mobile phones are part of a growing waste stream called E-waste (electronic goods). As technology evolves the life expectancy of electronic items is reduced significantly as models become out dated. There are around five million mobile phones in circulation in New Zealand with a life expectancy of around 18 months.”

“By donating your old phone to the Starship collection, you are helping support children from Hawke’s Bay who need the care which is provided by the hospital. It’s also a great way to look after the environment, by lowering the number of mobile phones which are sent to the landfill.

Broken phones or those which can’t be restored to working order can also be dropped into the libraries and will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Phone batteries and old phone chargers can also be dropped off at the collection points.

The libraries in Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere have now begun accepting the mobile phones; look out for the colourful boxes. This is a joint venture between Starship Hospital, Hastings District Council and Telecom

For those updating their mobile phones or perhaps thinking of purchasing their first one, the libraries can help with their free mobile phone tutorials, part of their IT Literacy programme. Phone owners are able to make an appointment with a library staff member, who can provide one-on-one advice that is tailored to the user’s skill level and type of phone.

Phone tuition is available at the Hastings War Memorial Library each weekday between 4pm and 5pm and at Flaxmere and Havelock North Libraries on Saturday afternoons.

ENDS

© Scoop Media