Ring in the changes over the festive season by recycling outdated mobile phones.

Braintree Council is appealing for clubs and businesses to help people recycle old mobiles.

National charity Child Advocacy International , which provides medical support to children in developing countries, can sell on outdated mobile phones to be reconditioned or broken up for spare parts recycling.

Ian Haines , Braintree Council environmental policy manager, said: "This Christmas, many people will be given new mobile phones as gifts, old ones will often be left in the cupboard or put in a bin from where they may end up in landfill.

"This campaign from Child Advocacy International not only raises money for the charity but it also helps the environment."

Mr Haines added: "Unfortunately, Braintree Council won't be able to deal with hundreds of old mobile phones, but we would like to try and co-ordinate an phone recycling effort rather than put them in landfill."

Clubs and businesses are being asked to come forward and act as phone banks and if more than ten mobile phones are collected Child Advocacy International will send a courier to pick them up free of charge.

Alternatively people can post old mobiles to Child Advocacy International, Recycling Appeal, Freepost, MID 23462, Burton on Trent, DE14 1BR.

Clubs and businesses who wish to become mobile phone banks can call Ian Haines on 01376 552525.

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