Charity call over phone recycling

A green organisation has called on people whose finances are stretched due to the credit crunch to give charities a boost by recycling their mobile phones and printer cartridges.

The appeal came as research showed that Britons will donate 7% less to charities this year compared with last year.

When respondents to a YouGov poll were asked about how much money they gave to charity in 2007 before the credit crunch, the mean total was £155.35.

But their answers to questions about what they estimated they would have spent by the end of this year resulted in a mean of £144.55.

According to the Each One Counts campaign, which commissioned the research, this would lead to a drop of £655 million from the £9.5 billion donated to good causes last year.

The campaign provides a free postal recycling service for unwanted mobile phones and used inkjet cartridges via its website and donates money to a charity for each recyclable item.

Each One Counts, which is owned by Environmental Business Products Ltd, is calling on consumers and charities to use recycling to make up 20% of the estimated shortfall in cash donations. It said the survey highlighted a lack of knowledge about schemes.

A total of 57% of people said they did not recycle their phones but 80% of those said they would do so if it helped a charity, the figures showed.

Charities could make significant income to bridge the impending gap by promoting recycling and other fundraising methods that do not involve supporters parting with money, Each One Counts.

The campaign works with a number of charities including Tommy's, Beatbullying and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

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