Recycle your old mobile phone...

It was estimated that after last Christmas nearly 750,000 mobile phones were thrown away in the UK alone. Only one in 25 handsets is currently recycled - that's just 600,000 of the 15 million replaced annually.

But why waste them when they can be re-vamped and sent abroad to less affluent countries. So dig out your old phone (or phones!) and chargers and give them a new life. Just make sure you remove the sim card and delete the phone's memory first.

The Body Shop will donate £2.75 to Refuge for their work providing shelter and advice to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Just pick up a blue envelope in their shops. It doesn't cost you a penny as it's freepost.

Orange will also recycle phones, accessories and chargers - just pop in an envelope marked "Freepost Orange Recycle". If your phone is reusable then Orange will donate £5 to children's charities. If not the parts will be re-used or disposed of safely.

Crisis, who organise a fantastic range of services and shelter for homeless people over Christmas, also collect unwanted mobiles. Each phone is worth £5 to Crisis. Freepost envelopes are available from Sainsbury's or email jo.cashman@crisis.org.uk

Go on reclaim the space in your home this March and feel lighter by donating your unwanted mobile.

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