Recently, we announced the launch of our new initiative that will see mobile phones being sold without chargers. Telefónica UK have partnered with HTC to pilot this scheme with their latest handset, which will be launched this quarter. We’re doing this to reduce the amount of environmental waste that spare and redundant chargers create. This is the first time that any UK based network has been bold enough to make this ground breaking step – Telefónica UK is taking the lead.
There are millions of unused chargers lying around UK homes and offices – it is estimated that 30 million new phones are purchased annually in the UK. Think about the duplication we are creating in the amount of waste and resources if we are acquiring new chargers every time we purchase a new handset. Not forgetting the number of cluttered draws!
Now that standardised chargers are available on the market, it is likely that customers will have a suitable charger at home already– highlighting that customers really don’t need a new charger every time they purchase a new handset.
Our research suggests that around 70% of our customers already have compatible chargers that will work with their new handsets. If customers do need a new charger, we will be able to provide them with one at a discounted price. Telefónica UK will not be making any money from this.
This initiative is an example of how we are moving towards meeting another of our commitments in our three year Think Big Blueprint sustainability plan: to no longer offer a new charger as standard with a new phone by 2015.
Providing phones without a charger as standard would reduce the amount of resources used in the manufacturing and packaging process, the amount of waste sent to landfill and the amount spent on transport costs.
This step is bold and it is challenging. We are starting small, with one change and with one partner, but we have longer-term aspirations to engage with more manufactures and operators and to shake up the industry as a whole.
Telefónica UK is taking the lead on this but we want others to follow, driving lasting industry change that will create huge environmental savings. Join us now – together we can really make a difference.
