Nine in 10 Brits Do Not Care About "Green" Mobile Phones

Despite the development of environmentally friendly mobile phones and green mobile chargers, the majority of Brits are still not interested in the eco credentials of their mobile handsets according to research from UK based price comparison website moneysupermarket.

The study shows 88 per cent of adults do not care about the eco friendliness of their mobiles, with people ranking cost (59%), battery life (44%) and durability (33%) as the most important factors when choosing a handset.

Almost half of Brits (49%) say they would refuse to pay more for a handset made from recycled materials and a further one in eight (13%) would not purchase a recycled phone at all.

However, the research also shows there is little understanding of how dangerous mobile phones actually are. Four in 10 adults (39%) believe phones have no hazardous materials or admit they have no idea if they do. With 1.5 million mobile phones expected to be thrown away each year, the report comments that this lack of awareness could have a serious environmental impact.

James Parker, manager of mobiles and broadband at moneysupermarket.com, says: "There have been some great advances in green technology from mobile manufacturers recently but the majority of people don't seem to be ready for these developments. People are still hung up on cost and appear to have a complete lack of awareness of the damaging environmental consequences of throwing away a mobile phone."

However, the research does reveal 12 per cent of people are interested in the eco friendliness of their phones, rising to 15 per cent of women, and almost a fifth (19%) of Brits admit they would pay an average of £32 more for a ‘green' phone than a normal phone.

There is also money to be had from recycling old mobile phones, moneysupermarket.com will pay an average of £25 for one phone, and up to £150 depending on the handset, yet one in six (15%) claim to not know how to recycle old mobile phones or didn't know they could.

James Parker continues: "Green developments in mobile technology are picking up pace but only a small number of people are aware of this, however, those that are in the know obviously see the benefits and are willing to pay a bit more.

"Several companies now exist to recycle old phones and people need to be aware they can earn a few pounds and protect the environment. Mobiles have some harmful parts and materials and if they aren't dealt with appropriately they could have severe consequences on the environment."

Posted to the site on 9th April 2009