Mobile Phone Recycling Project
Any use of the elements over and above legitimate bounds is a sacrilege. So too, each element must be used under some limitations, not as and how you like. Treat the elements as a vesture of the almighty.
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 8 Ch. 10, March 11, 1968
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Om Sri Sai Ram.
The Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation (SSSIO) is pleased to announce a global environmental project to help reduce electronic waste (e-waste) resulting from mobile phones. This project is a humble offering to mark the auspicious occasion of our Beloved Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s 95th Year of Advent in 2020. The project was launched at the inaugural Go Green Conference held 25–26 July 2018 in Prasanthi Nilayam. SSSIO Members are requested to hand in their damaged, technically antiquated or simply inactive phones for this global recycling project as a way to actively reduce the huge amount of e-waste produced around the world each year. In 2016 alone, a staggering 44.7 million metric tonnes of e-waste was produced globally, with 435 kilo tonnes of wasted mobile phones generated in the same year.1
E-waste places a huge burden on the environment. The hazardous compounds used to make electronic equipment such as mercury, PVC, flame retardants, and plastic release toxins which pose considerable environmental and health risks for humans, animals, and plants alike. In addition to this, the precious and valuable materials used to make mobile phones are also lost when phones are not disposed of properly.1
Thus, as a collective effort towards protecting our environment, SSSIO members across the world are encouraged to collect phones from their families, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Items to be collected include mobile phone and its charger/cable as well as cordless phone, in any working condition. Collected phones will be recycled at an authorised recycling facility in Germany.
Please deliver your old phones to your local Sai Centre or Group between now and 31st December 2018. For project information, please refer to the attached Project Presentation Slides and National Council President Briefing Form, which along with additional information, are also available at: http://www.sathyasai.org/ya/serve-the-planet
As a first step, we kindly request National Council Presidents to designate National Project Coordinators for this specific project as soon as possible.Desired candidates for the National Project Coordinator may include National Service Coordinator, National Young Adult Coordinator or National Serve the Planet or Go-Green Coordinator.
If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact the International Project Coordinator and Logistics Liaison – Mr. Manfred Mueller-Gransee at mmuellergransee@sathyasai.org or ‘Serve the Planet’ Team at servetheplanet@sathyasai.org.
Let us all join hands in this effort to collectively alleviate some of the environmental burdens and serve Mother Earth who protects, supports and nurtures all life on this planet.
Jai Sai Ram.
Lovingly in the Service of Sai,
Narendranath Reddy, M.D.
Chairman, Prasanthi Council
Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation
Reference:
1. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Climate-Change/Pages/Global-E-waste-Monitor-2017.aspx
Mobile Phone Recycling Presentation Slides