MCMC And Telco Industry Launch Mobile E-Waste Initiative

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has collaborated with the communications industry players namely Malaysian Technical Standards Forum Bhd (MTSFB), Altel Communications, Celcom Axiata, Digi Telecommunications, Maxis, TM and UMobile to launch the ‘Mobile e-Waste: Old Phone, New Life’ programme, today.

The programme which was officiated by Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Dato’ Jailani Johari is geared to advocate the public on the environmentally safe disposal and recycling of end-of-life (EOL), unused or unwanted mobile devices towards inculcating the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse and recycling) culture in Malaysia.

For a start, this programme will emphasize on EOL mobile phones as the sole target ewaste on the basis of concerns over the increasing usage of mobile phones.

A research by the US Environmental Protection Agency shows that the average life span of mobile phone is around 18 – 24 months. Also, based on the statistic from SIRIM QAS, there are 42 million units of mobile phones registered prior year 2013. Thus, it is estimated that there are more than 42 million of mobile phones which can be considered as e-waste. They are either kept in homes or have ended up in the landfills.

MCMC estimates the actual figure may be more than 42 million if non-certified or unregistered units are counted which makes it an issue that needs to be addressed by every Malaysian who cares for the environment.

Through this programme, the public will be able to dispose their unused mobile devices such as cellular phones, smart phones, tablets, phablets along with chargers and accessories at 72 participating telcos outlets nationwide where a dedicated mobile ewaste collection box is placed. The collected mobile e-waste will then undergo recycle and recovery process carried out by Shan Poornam Metals Sdn Bhd, a Full Recovery Racility licensed by Department of Environment.

MCMC and the participating stakeholders are committed in keeping mobile e-waste off the landfills by increasing the number of mobile e-waste collection points and awareness program.

For more information on the participating outlets and to learn more about the Mobile eWaste initiative, please visit http://mobileewaste.mcmc.gov.my.