The GSM Association (GSMA) and a dozen carriers have announced a plan to recycle five billion unused mobile phones by 2030.

The plan aims to increase the number of used mobile devices collected through operator take-back schemes to at least 20% of the number of new mobile devices distributed directly to customers. It also aims to ensure that 100% of used mobile devices collected through operator take-back schemes are repaired, reused, or transferred to controlled recycling organizations.

The GSMA estimates that there are five billion unused mobile phones in desk drawers around the globe. These phones contain valuable materials such as copper, silver, gold, and cobalt. Recycling these phones would help to reduce the need to mine for new materials, which is a harmful process that can damage the environment.

Although, it is not clear how the GSMA will ensure that all of the used mobile phones collected through operator take-back schemes are actually recycled. Additionally, the plan does not address the issue of mobile phones that are discarded in landfills or incinerated.

The sources for this piece include an article in TheRegister.