Nokia and Samsung top Greenpeace 'Greener Electronics Guide'

Environmental campaign group Greenpeace has just published its ninth edition of the Greener Electronics Guide, which ranks leading companies in the mobile phone, computer, TV and games console industries according to their policies and practices on toxic chemicals, recycling and energy. Mobile phone companies take the top two positions, with Nokia leading and Samsung in second place. Nokia scored seven out of ten, with Samsung rated at 5.9 out of ten. Sony Ericsson has dropped from its previous lead to fourth place. [Press release]

Only 3% of mobiles recycled

A global survey from Nokia shows that only 3% of people recycle their mobile phones. 74% didn't even think about recycling their devices, with nearly half unaware that it is possible to recycle unwanted handsets. (The UK did best in this part of the survey, with 80% awareness of handset recycling). The company said recycling one mobile phone for every mobile user worldwide would save 240,000 tonnes of raw materials and would reduce the amount of greenhouse gases generated by 4 million cars. [Press release]

Nokia reveals recycled phone

Nokia's CEO has revealed a concept handset that's made from recycled materials. The phone - known as remade - was shown during his speech at the Mobile World Congress. It is constructed from metals reclaimed from aluminum cans, plastics from drink bottles and rubber key mats from old car tyres. [Nokia press bulletin board]

UK mobiles sent to Russia for funeral

Mobile phone recycling is gaining popularity - but a UK company has a different idea about dealing with 'dead' mobile phones. Mobile Fun, a UK-based ringtone company, is sending mobile phones to Russia for a formal burial service in the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly. For an additional £5, your old mobile phone can send a farewell text message from Russia to your new mobile. [Sources: PR Newswire; Cellular-News.com]