How Vodafone is Supporting WWF with Donated Devices
Since September 2024, more than 500,000 phones have been donated by the public to support WWF’s work.
For every old mobile phone donated through Vodafone, the company will contribute £1 (US$1.25) to WWF.
The partnership, launched in 2022, intends to collect one million phones for the planet as part of a three-year collaboration.
“As part of our three-year partnership with Vodafone, this initiative promotes a sustainable circular economy, encouraging reuse, recycling and reducing waste,” explained Priscilla Garcia, Senior Partnership Communications Manager at WWF-UK, on LinkedIn.
“Donate your unused phones today through Vodafone’s recycling, donation or trade-in programmes and help us create a healthier planet for future generations.”
The problems with e-waste
E-waste often contains hazardous materials like lead, mercury or cadmium.
When dumped in landfills or burned, these can be released into the environment and cause harm to both human and wildlife health.
Toxic materials can also seep into groundwater and harm sea animals.
Often, e-waste is dumped in developing counties where it can significantly impact the health of communities.
These unused devices also contain precious rare earth elements, so recycling them can prevent further mining that is damaging to the environment.
Which WWF projects are the phone donations supporting?
The mobile phones donated and Vodafone’s contributions support initiatives in key Vodafone markets in Europe and Africa.
In South Africa, Vodafone and WWF are working on technology to help prevent whale entanglement in mussel farming equipment.
The partnership is also continuing a long-term programme of work promoting sustainable seafood sourcing and choices in the area.
In Greece, WWF is supporting Vodafone to deliver zero-waste and net zero stores whilst developing awareness raising and engagement platforms to help its customers make greener choices.
Vodafone and WWF’s partnership has also supported the production of business-focussed content, providing guidance for small and medium sized enterprises to adopt more sustainable approaches.
This ranges from implementing office management practices that help to reduce environmental impacts to tackling e-waste and considering the benefits of green pensions.
A year into the partnership, more than 210,000 phones were collected to be reused and recycled responsibly.
“We’re looking forward to continuing our work with Vodafone to accelerate towards the goal of collecting one million phones for the planet, as our partnership moves into its second year,” said Kate Norgrorve, Executive Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at WWF-UK.
“Supporting a shift to a more circular economy is key to addressing technology’s climate and nature impacts, from production through to disposal of electronic waste.”
Anne Stilling, Global Brand & Media Director at Vodafone Group, said: “We’re excited to continue collaborating and inspiring consumers to make more sustainable choices.
“The One Million Phones for the Planet is a fantastic initiative that encourages everyone to hand in their old phones, supporting a more circular economy and generating donations to fund key WWF programmes across the world.”
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