You don’t know what to do with your used phones? Please note that it is possible to drop them off in stores or during collections organized by operators in order to give them a second life. Some are simply resold while others are transformed in unusual ways. This was the case for just over 200,000 smartphones brought together by the Orange teams, official sponsor of the Rugby World Cup. Rare components from these devices were used to make the competition medals.
As part of its RE program, the French telecommunications company “repairs, takes back, recycles and reconditions terminals which can have a second life,” explains Sylvie Bertrand, communications and CSR director Orange Île-de-France. As sponsor of the World Cup, “we wanted to offer something ecological and responsible in connection with the competition. This is very concrete. »
Collection in stores, universities…
Orange therefore organized a large collection of telephones. In its stores, in the heart of university campuses, with affiliated clubs and during events organized by the operator such as the Orange Night Run. Then sent to the Ateliers du Bocage (Deux-Sèvres) for careful sorting, the devices in good condition were repaired and reconditioned while the others were recycled and sent to a center specializing in electronic waste for the extraction of metals.
“The raw material was then prepared by a company specializing in the production of semi-finished and finished products in technical alloys,” indicates Orange, before taking charge of the workshops of the Monnaie de Paris quai de Conti (VIe), where the medals were struck.
Nearly 3,000 kg of rare materials recovered
In total, among the 31 tons of phones collected, nearly 3,000 kg of rare materials were recovered, used to make the charms. “This represents 138 phones used per medal,” summarizes Sylvie Bertrand. This operation shows what we are able to do in terms of recycling; it is an original, concrete and modern initiative which promotes the circular economy. »
An initiative destined to be repeated during future sports competitions? “Why not, it was a first, we have proven that it is possible,” concludes the communications and CSR director. There is a very symbolic side. World Cup winners leave with a little something from each of us. »
