Enables the Public to Receive Money for Old Mobile Phones

New scheme aims to help reduce electronic waste, protect the environment and cut the mining of minerals in conflict-affected regions while supporting the International Co-operative Alliance’s appeal for the reconstruction of co-operatives in Nepal

ShP Limited has partnered with The Phone Co-op, trading as The Co-operative Mobile, for a new initiative encouraging the public to recycle their old mobile phones at www.thephone.coop/recycle. For every phone donated before the end of July, individuals also have the opportunity to win a Fairphone, the world’s first smartphone to put social values and ethical production first.

Once an individual enters details of their mobile’s handset, they are shown the phone’s value and offered the choice to redeem the device for the proposed amount. At this point, the individual has the choice to receive the full value of the phone or can donate all, or some of, the proceeds to the worldwide Co-operative Movement’s reconstruction effort for co-operatives affected by the earthquake in Nepal.

“We already process hundreds of thousands of phones each year and new models only add to the number of mobiles gathering dust in people’s homes. We are honoured that The Phone Co-op chose to work with us, as we believe our services and company values align perfectly with the drive to empower people to reduce local waste while simultaneously helping the international community,” said Simon Walsh, Co-Founder of ShP Limited.

The Phone Co-op has partnered with ShP Limited because of the company’s environmental credentials and ethical working practices. Once devices are sent for recycling, via freepost envelopes provided by ShP Limited, they enter ShP Limited’s fully accredited, automated facility for processing, which follows strict protocols to ensure any personal data is erased securely in-line with international data regulations.

Vivian Woodell, Chief Executive of The Phone Co-op, said, “Everyone has a responsibility to help reduce electronic waste. Not only do we provide a wide choice, including handsets with a strong ethical focus, when it comes to the latest phones, but we also believe everyone should have the opportunity to recycle older devices in an ethical and sustainable way. This is why we chose ShP Limited to design an easy-to-use platform to enable anyone to do just that.”

Alongside the launch of the online platform, The Phone Co-op has also organised events that coincide with this year’s Big Co-op Clean during Co-operatives Fortnight (20^th June – 4^th July), an annual event to celebrate all things co-operative. The campaign hopes to inspire communities to take action by cleaning up their local areas and homes and donating any excess items to good causes. Dusting off an old mobile becomes the perfect way to help earthquake disaster reconstruction in Nepal.

About ShP Limited

Established in 2001, ShP Limited is a leading, fully accredited provider of IT, mobile phone and electronics processing services for private and public sector organisations. This has rewarded the company with a blue chip customer base that includes international financial institutions and banks, public sector and Government departments, professional services companies, over 70% of the UK’s police forces, IT and electronics retailers, and charitable organisations.

Central to the company’s success is its 75,000ft² fully automated facility and compliance with all necessary ISO and data protection regulations, as well as environmental, waste and WEEE directives. ShP Limited’s comprehensive physical and data security protocols, professionalism and commercially valuable services ensure customers receive a transparent, audited service from the moment an asset is collected.

About The Phone Co-op Limited

The Phone Co-op is an independent consumer co-operative based in Manchester and Chipping Norton. It is the only telecoms provider in the UK that is owned and run by its customers.

The Phone Co-op operates nationwide, providing fixed and mobile telecommunications services to over 30,000 residential and business customers, including other co-operatives, charities and third sector organisations. Since 2012, when it adopted the nationally recognised co-operative brand, The Phone Co-op trades as The Co-operative Phone and Broadband, The Co-operative Business Telecoms, and The Co-operative Mobile to reflect the range of services it provides.

The Phone Co-op operates a policy of fair and transparent pricing with no hidden charges. It is committed to giving customers the best possible service, while still promoting the wellbeing of people and communities and minimising everyone’s impact on the environment.