28 November 2008

Nokia's Integrated Nokia Kiosk
Wins GSMA's Inaugural Green Mobile Award

Nokia Malaysia’s "Integrated Nokia Kiosk" (INK) recently snagged the inaugural “Green Mobile Award” at the GSM Association’s (GSMA) Asia Mobile Awards 2008 held.

The award recognizes initiatives in the region aimed at promoting low carbon economies and sustainable lifestyles.

The INK is a first-of-its-kind kiosk that plays a double role: it provides customers a really simple way to recycle their old mobile phones and accessories, as well as get their current Nokia devices serviced.

The initiative was launched in Malaysia earlier this year with four kiosks placed in high-traffic shopping malls for a six-month pilot phase. As an added incentive for recycling, for each mobile phone dropped off, the customer will have a tree planted in his or her name via the Nokia NewTrees Program.

This is a collaboration project with WWF Indonesia and Equinox Publishing whereby Nokia has committed funds towards planting of 100,000 trees in Sebangau National Park in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia). The customer then receives a unique URL and instructions to view their tree through Google Earth.

“This award is a fantastic recognitionl Nokia’s ongoing commitment to the environment. Today, up to 80% of any Nokia device can be recycled, saving precious raw materials that can be used again.

However, a recent study by Nokia earlier this year showed only 3% of people actually recycled their old mobile phones,” says Francis Cheong, Nokia’s Environmental Affairs Manager, South East Asia Pacific. “INK is an innovative way we can make it easier for people to recycle their used and unwanted mobiles. Working together with consumers we can make a big difference for the environment” Francis continues