Website gives cash for old mobiles

OLD MOBILE phones can be exchanged for cash and then recycled via a website recently launched in France.

Fonebank France has set up the service on www.fonebank.fr

A similar idea launched in the UK a few years ago now recycles more than 1,500 mobiles a day.

Managing director of Fonebank France Andy Martin said: “With the current economic crisis, we are sure that people will be looking for different ways to save money. With Fonebank you make a little money and at the same time, help to protect the environment and give your old mobile a new home in Africa or Asia.”

Fonebank recycles your old mobile to third world countries where they are used again.

Mr Martin said: “The website is in French but it is very simple to understand and in just a few clicks you could be receiving a cheque in the post.”

Fonebank marketing director Annaïck Brout said: “With more elaborate mobiles coming onto the market each month, the old ones are just 'binned' or left in drawers. Estimates state that close to 90 million phones are sitting in people's drawers in the UK.”