Translations

ORANGE systemizes the recycling of mobile phones in many countries

4. Environment

Waste management

Sector Telecommunication, Medias, ITC

Year 2014

Country France

Transmitter

Context

The development of information technology and communication is accompanied by an increase in the Volume of Electrical Waste and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): several million devices are replaced every year, especially mobile phones. This equipment is renewed on average every eighteen to twenty-four months in developed countries. The stock of unused mobile devices is growing, and represents an environmental risk (pollution, resource depletion). To give new life to these phones or to ensure their dismantling in an environmentally friendly way, France Telecom-Orange has developed in European countries patterns of collecting eco-citizen or redemption of used mobile phones.

Objectives

Optimize the handling of wastes generated both internally and by unsold products and services
Reduce the environmental impact of mobile phones through reuse and recycling of components
Increase public awareness on the recycling of mobile phones

APPROACH

To combat the proliferation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), Orange has implemented incentive systems for customers to keep their phones for longer periods. In several European countries, Orange proposes the sale of refurbished cell phones in encouraging customers to return a device at the end of its useful life. Through this initiative, over 1.5 million used cell phones could be collected by the Group's European subsidiaries in 2013, for a collection rate of 11.6%, which represents a 16% increase over 2012.

"Good environmental citizen" promotion campaigns were conducted across several European countries, particularly in Spain (in partnership with Unicef), Poland (among company personnel), Slovakia (in elementary schools), Moldavia (among the general public) and France (general public, local authorities and in-company) and even in Mauritius (with Mobo, a small-scale cell phone collection agency).

In France, all cell phones collected are processed by the Ateliers du Bocage shops, a social inclusion company and member of the Emmaüs movement. Every 12,000 phones collected allow creating or maintaining 1 job for a first-time employee. Orange donates all profits derived from this operation to Emmaüs International for the purpose of creating phone waste collection streams in Africa, which suffers from the lack of such facilities. Since 2010, Orange has financed the opening of waste collection centers in Burkina Faso, Benin, Madagascar and Niger. Following the steps of disassembly and sorting, all reusable components output from existing streams are processed locally. Remaining elements are then shipped to Europe for recycling in compliance with European regulations. 100,000 phones collected = 1 center = 5 jobs created.

The hazardous substances contained in mobile devices are treated and their primary metals recovered. Operable phones are refurbished, after testing and deletion of all personal data, and then resold in countries with less purchasing power.

Best Practice selected in 2010 by World Forum Lille and updated in 2014

CONTRIBUTION TO COMPANY PERFORMANCE

Fulfil the commitment of Orange as a responsible company
A unifying and motivating project for employees of the company
The setting up of recycling centers in accordance with European regulations

Benefits

Creation of jobs for first-time employees
Introduction of cell phone waste collection streams in Africa, greater awareness of recycling among phone industry decision-makers
Treatment of hazardous substances contained in mobile devices and recovery of primary metals
Environmental protection.