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Global recycled handset shipments 'to exceed 100m'

Shipments of recycled mobile handsets will exceed 100 million units in 2012, as shorter handset replacement periods, growing demand for low-cost handsets in emerging markets and growing consumer awareness converge to drive the market.

That is the conclusion of a new report from ABI Research, which indicates that handset manufacturers are now considering the reusability of their handsets during the design stage, ensuring they are easily recyclable and contain as few hazardous elements as possible.

"Mobile phone recycling companies such as ReCellular, Fonebak and Eazyfone are witnessing good market growth, but increasing consumer awareness and retrieving used handsets at affordable prices are still key challenges," said Shailendra Pandey, of ABI Research.

"Also, the ASP of used handsets falls rapidly, so these handsets need to be handled at the lowest possible cost to ensure decent margins on their resale."

The report also identified a growing trend among mobile operators, retailers, recycling companies and charities offering various types of take-back schemes, in an attempt to persuade more users to return their old handsets for recycling.

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