Old Nokia phones will help save Philippine tarsiers

MANILA, Philippines - The future now looks brighter for the endangered Philippine tarsier, thanks to the “i-rEcover. i-rEcycle.” program spearheaded by Nokia Philippines in collaboration with Globe Telecom, Ayala Foundation and the Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc. (PTFI).  

The program, launched in September last year, enjoined the general public to donate their old mobile phones, batteries and related accessories for recycling; and for every phone received, Nokia would donate P100 to the PTFI support programs for preserving the Philippine tarsier and its habitat.

The recycling bins were located in Globe stores and at Ayala malls nationwide. 

The “i-rEcover. i-rEcycle.” program successfully accumulated almost 5,000 old mobile phones. With this achievement Nokia is pledging P500,000 to the PTFI.

The amount was turned over at the closing ceremony for the program last Oct. 24 at the Tarsier Sanctuary in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. 

“We are very thankful to consumers who donated their old mobile phones in support of this program.  As Nokia we’re in a unique position to effect positive environmental and social change with regards to recycling. Nokia operates the world’s largest voluntary take-back program with more than 6,000 collection points in almost 100 countries.  We accept all brands of phones, which are then collected and sent to approved Nokia recyclers, where they are recycled in a sustainable manner,” said Dharmesh Goshalia, Nokia Philippines general manager.

“Of course, we were able to make this happen with the help of our great allies Globe Telecom, Ayala Foundation and PTFI who are all equally dedicated to protecting the environment,” he added.          

Edwin Ylescupidez, head of Globe energy management said: “Globe Telecom has always been one with the world in pursuing environmental sustainability. We continuously create initiatives as part of our commitment to care for our planet.

Over the years, we have dedicated a wide range of activities that address these challenges such as energy management, reduction of greenhouse emissions and recycling waste. So we are happy for having partnered with Nokia on this program which has garnered so much support from the public.

This program should serve as a reminder to everyone on the importance of responsible disposal of old mobile phones and its impact on the environment.” 

On the other hand, Mario Deriquito, Ayala Foundation senior director, said the success of the program further strengthened their company’s commitment to creating public awareness on environment protection.  “We saw the active participation of the patrons of Ayala Malls to the program which means that our call for help to preserve the environment and the endangered tarsiers came across well. We will continue promoting the value of the environment by making Ayala Malls more environment-friendly and initiating more green programs.” 

The Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc., on the other hand, thanked the efforts of the private sector who supported its advocacies, as well as the people who donated their old mobile phones.  PTFI president lawyer Urbano H. Lagunay said: “The success of the program proves that working together and getting involved is truly the best way to make things happen. We thank our partners for spearheading this program and for the donation that will greatly help our mission to protect the Philippine tarsier and its habitat. Most of all, we thank the public for going out of their way to help save the tarsiers.” 

The “i-rEcover. i-rEcycle.” program might have ended but the recycling doesn’t stop.  For interested parties who still want to recycle their old phones, recycle bins are present in all Nokia Care Centers nationwide.