Envirophone claim to be (and probably are) the largest mobile phone recycling company in the UK. They are advertised quite widely and are directly promoted via some well known media outlets, i.e. publishing sites include features allowing their readers to sell their phones via Envirophone.
Envirophone were certainly the first recycling company that we became aware of and have been around a lot longer (established in 2005) than the numerous smaller companies that have entered the market recently.
As a large established company Envirophone win on the “trust” factor. Regrettably some of the smaller recycling companies have gone bust owing customers money, or had issues paying their customers.
Although you can never rule these issues out with any company, I would suggest that you would be safer with Envirophone than some of the smaller companies, even if they pay less on a given model.
Envirophone claim to have “over 1.5 million happy customers in the UK and Ireland” and have gone on to launch services in other European countries.
What Kind of Phones to Envoriphone Buy?
Envirophone take both working and damaged handsets.
What Payment Options do Envirophone Offer?
Envirophone are mid range in terms of their available payment options, providing a good degree of flexiblitity which will suit the vast majority of sellers:
- Cheque
- Bank Transfer
- PayPal
- Charity (you can donate the proceeds of the sale of your phone to a nominated charity)
How Do I send My Phone To Envirophone?
Mazuma like most recycling companies provide a free post envolope in which you post your phone.
Advantages of using Envirophone
Large trusted company, unlikely to cause you problems with payment
They offer a price satisfaction guarantee or your phone back, which gives you some protection should you find a better deal after you have already sent it to Envirophone.
Envirophone also claim to pay up to 85% of the full price for damaged or broken handsets, though that will undoubtedly vary wildly between handsets and the type of damage.
Envirophone offer flexible payment options including popular services like PayPal, direct funds and BACS transfers (transferring money direct to your account). This means your transaction with Envirophone can be 100% electronic for convenience.
Sustainability and Environmental Issues
Envirophone also provide a little information on their policies of sustainability, as you would expect with a recycling company. One point they emphasise is that they always opto for re-use of mobile phones (and other electronic goods) wherever possible. Whilst this is undoubtedly good for the enviroment, it is also the most profitable use of the handsets they are given. After all, selling a working phone to an emerging economy would be more profitable than scrapping it!
Envirophone qualify this by stating that 95% of the handsets they process are in fact refurbished and sold to developing countries “where they can play a major part in helping to develop communication networks” and help build “valuable infrastructure in these countries”.
Where phones cannot be re-used, they are sent to a UK based recyling plant where they are broken down and individual components / precious metals are recovered, whilst dangerous chemicals are disposed of safely.
Another interesting point Envirophone make is that they have offset over 3000 tonnes of Co2 Emissions. This makes sense when you consider that every phone re-used is potentially one less phone that needs to be manufactured, which in enviromental terms really is the krux of why mobile phone recycling is so important.
Envirophone also state that they have given £3 million to the education secotr and charities, though they do not state whether that was in the form of a donation from their own profits, or whether commissions were paid to organisations that sent business their way.
Should you sell to Envirophone?
Overall, we would recommend Envirophone as a company. They do seem to be one of the most ethical, trustworthy and reliable recycling companies on the business. We would certainly consider using Envirophone over some lesser known companies even if they are not offering the best price on the basis that you can have more confidence in this company than some of the smaller operators.
Are EnviroPhone as Good As Mazuma?
Both EnviroPhone and Mazuma are leading companies. You can trust both of them. They both offer good service. In terms of choice between these two services it really comes down to price.
Have Your Say
If you have used Envirophone and would like to provide feedback for other users you can vote based on your experience and leave any comments you may be useful:
