MORE than £350,000 has been raised for charities and other good causes through a scheme to recycle old, unwanted and obsolete mobile phones.

Gareth Fernandes of Eurosource, the leading recycling company that has raised this money, said: "Latest figures suggest that around 80 million mobile phones are languishing at the backs of drawers at home or at work.

"It's such a waste, because these phones could be used to raise hard cash for very worthwhile causes, from children's charities to cancer charities. Many people have at least one old and unwanted phone to dispose of. It's not very environmentally-friendly to throw your old mobile in the bin because some phones contain cadmium, a dangerous and highly toxic substance.

"Once dumped in landfill sites, the phone casing corrodes and cadmium may leak into the soil.

"We also recycle old mobile phones and give up to half of the profit to charity.

To find out how to get yours collected free, call Eurosource on 08451 30 20 10.

We are working with local and national charities, schools and Scout groups and, through various recycling schemes, including our printer cartridge recycling initiative, we have donated over £350,000 to good causes."

Eurosource is seeking old mobile phones, chargers and phone batteries, plus used laser, fax and inkjet printer cartridges, for recycling. Free collection can be arranged from anywhere in the UK.

For the cost of a local call, you can help charities boost their fundraising efforts.

Further information about recycling phones and cartridges to raise funds for charities, schools and Scout groups can be found by visiting recyclingappeal.com and sprints.org.uk.

Charities benefiting from the scheme include the Marie Curie Cancer Care, Cancer Research UK, Roy Castle Lung Foundation, the Children's Hospice Association Scotland, Francis House Children's Hospice in Manchester.