By Edward Kemp

PEOPLE in Salisbury can now donate to charity, help the environment, and break a world record all at the same time by handing in their unwanted mobile phones to disability charity Scope.

The charity has joined forces with recycling partner Redeem Plc in a bid to break the Guiness World Record for collecting the most used handsets donated in one week.

The attempt to break the record, which currently stands at 952, is taking place from January 8 to 15, and the charity is set to receive a £3 cash donation for every handset.

Nick Mitchell, shop area manager for Scope, said: “We are calling on people to dig out their old phones.

“Don’t put recycling on hold and dump your phone, donate it to Scope instead. Every phone counts and will bring us a step closer to achieving a new world record.”

There are estimated to be over 600,000 old and unused mobile phones in Wiltshire alone, however only handsets received during the specified time period will count towards the world record attempt.

Jamie Rae, chief executive of Redeem Plc, said: “We want as many people to take part and help us break a world record so we can raise lots of money for Scope.

“With approximately four million people predicted to have upgraded phones this year, this is a great way to dispose of your old ones.”

Phones received by Redeem are sold on for second-hand use or recycled down to their component parts, thereby diverting handsets away from landfill sites where they can cause pollution and contribute to global warming.