Globul, Bulgaria’s second largest mobile operator, and Germanos Telecom Bulgaria, the local unit of Greek handsets and accessories retailer Germanos, have announced plans to recycle old mobile phones and accessories collected in special containers at their shops.

The companies hope to collect about five kg of unwanted handsets, dead batteries, hands-free devices, chargers and data cables per box during the first year.

Globul’s chief executive Haris Kotsibos told reporters taht the operator has slated 400 000 leva for its Globul Green eco programme. Mobile phone materials take a long time to decompose, allowing potentially hazardous substances into the environment. The carrier will rely on customers’ environmental awareness and does not plan any promotions or discounts.

Local consumer electronics retailer 2be recently kicked off an eco-project and has recycled over 1000 devices in the first half of the year. The bulk of the old-phone owners got new gadgets for lower prices.