(Tiper Stock Exchange) – Vodafone And WWF announce global partnership which will contribute to the achievement of Vodafone’s objectives reduce carbon emissions by 2040 (net zero), to eliminate e-waste and encourage a more circular economy for mobile phones. The partnership is launched with a new program entitled “A million phones for the planet” to help accelerate and refine the Vodafone’s circular economy strategy by increasing the number of trade-in, refurbished and recycled devices.
The purchase of a refurbished smartphone saves around 50 kg of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) – reducing the impact on climate change by 87% compared to that of an equivalent newly manufactured smartphone – and eliminates the need to extract 76 .9 kg of raw materials[1].
The program will inspire Vodafone customers in Europe and Africa to hand in their old devices as part of a trade-in activity, for a donation to social causes or to be recycled responsibly. As of November 23, 2022, the Vodafone Group will donate £1 for each phone thus collected to WWF conservation projects around the world.
“WWF and Vodafone strongly believe that we can all make greener choices in how we use technology. Our partnership with WWF will create new initiatives to encourage our customers to take actions that could help reduce their carbon footprint and reduce pressure on the planet’s natural resources,” he said Nick Read, Vodafone Group Chief Executive.
“Each of us has a role to play in helping bring our world back to life, and the technology we use every day can play an important role in tackling the climate and nature’s emergency,” he comments. Tanya Steele, managing director of WWF-UK. – Through our partnership with Vodafone, we will demonstrate how everyone can reduce their environmental impact using digital technologies and services, including using mobile technology to advance WWF’s major conservation projects around the world. We look forward to working together on our shared vision for the planet.”
There three-year partnership of Vodafone with the WWF will see the launch of strategic initiatives in Vodafone markets in Europe and Africa. These will include app to help Vodafone customers make more sustainable choicesas well as projects in South Africa, Germany and the UK using mobile technology to help address conservation and sustainability challenges.
Vodafone will leverage WWF’s global network of environmental expertise and its international capacity to lead the fight against the climate emergency.
One Million Phones for the Planet will work alongside existing campaigns on devices, including the program by trade-in smartphone in Italy, thanks to which the customer who buys some smartphone models at Vodafone stores has the possibility of delivering his old device, which can have a second life through regeneration or through the recovery of materials. Other examples of campaigns in Europe are Germany’s One For One and Vodafone UK’s Great British Tech Appeal.
Vodafone’s circular economy plan for mobile devices
One million phones for the planet will help accelerate Vodafone’s approach to device circularity, announced in February 2022, to help the mobile industry move towards a more circular economy that minimizes waste and reduces further carbon emissions. Four main aspects of the Vodafone approach:
Trade-in – Vodafone will offer competitively priced trade-in offers through a new digital platform that will make it easy for customers to agree on trade-in options for their phones.
Refurbish and resell – Through the devices received through trade-ins and other partnerships, Vodafone expects to increase the overall number of high-quality, competitively priced refurbished smartphones it can offer to customers.
Repair – To extend the life of existing devices, Vodafone is rolling out a comprehensive and affordable suite of services for customers in Europe, including insurance, support and repairs.
Recycle – Any excess devices received from Vodafone will continue to be recycled responsibly or reused for social or charitable causes where possible.