Used cell phone collection may be required in Japan

Archiv – Japan | The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Japan wants to require companies to collect used mobile phones to help national efforts to secure precious metals.
METI is aiming to boost the recovery of resources from used handsets given that there are more than 100 million cell phone subscribers in Japan and that current recycling law requires manufacturers and retailers to collect only large discarded appliances. The ministry plans to expand the scope of the law to include mobile phones and other small high-tech devices, according to officials.Japan | The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Japan wants to require companies to collect used mobile phones to help national efforts to secure precious metals.
METI is aiming to boost the recovery of resources from used handsets given that there are more than 100 million cell phone subscribers in Japan and that current recycling law requires manufacturers and retailers to collect only large discarded appliances. The ministry plans to expand the scope of the law to include mobile phones and other small high-tech devices, according to officials.
Despite increasing numbers of cell phone subscribers, telecommunications companies and retailers are finding it more difficult to retrieve old wireless handsets partly because they have become multi-functional and can still be used as digital cameras or game players. The number of used mobile phones collected by operators and manufacturers stood at 6.44 million in fiscal 2007 compared with 11.72 million in fiscal 2003, according to the Telecommunications Carriers Association.
Since April 2001, cell phone operators and retailers have been collecting discarded handsets on a voluntary basis. To enhance the capacity to recycle precious and minor metals, METI also plans to work more closely with other ministries, officials say.