Sustainable Swisscom: Over 1 million old cell phones collected
The magazine World Finance has named Swisscom the "Most Sustainable Company in the Telecommunication Industry 2022". The award recognizes Swisscom's more than 20-year commitment to greater sustainability for the second time in a row.
Swisscom CEO Christoph Aeschlimann is also announcing a new milestone in the area of circular economy today - by June 2022, Swisscom customers will have Mobile Aid returned one million old devices in 2012.
"Switzerland can be proud," says Monika Wojcik, Head of Special Projects at World Finance. "Because Swisscom has achieved something that is unparalleled internationally. Not only has it switched completely to renewable electricity from Switzerland, it has also reduced its total energy requirements by 80%. And it will also become climate-neutral by 2025 in everything beyond that - from supply chains to employees' commutes. What's more, it even aims to recapture 1 million more tons of CO2 than it consumes. That will relieve the entire country".
Appreciation for roadmap toward climate neutrality
With the 2019 launch of the Sustainability Awards World Finance Magazine recognizes companies that are committed to implementing significant environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures while continuously seeking ways to improve their sustainability efforts. The panel particularly recognized Swisscom's alignment with the Paris Agreement, its contribution to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its holistic sustainability strategy. The panel recognized Swisscom's corporate practices and ethics, its leadership in setting an ambitious sustainability strategy in the telecommunications industry, and its issuance of the Green Bonds to promote sustainable and technological advances. Swisscom not only takes responsibility for the environment, but also for people. According to the jury's assessment, this has been demonstrated especially in the pandemic.
1 million cell phones finance 5 million meals
"The award is a nice recognition for our sustainable and responsible corporate governance," notes CEO Christoph Aeschlimann. "But I would especially like to thank our customers for their sustainable commitment: a few days ago, the millionth cell phone collected for Mobile Aid was handed in at a Swisscom store in Bern." As part of the Mobile Aid program, customers and non-customers can donate their old smartphones for a good cause.
"The proceeds from 1 million collected cell phones have already financed 5 million meals for children in need," says Aeschlimann. There are still an estimated eight million old cell phones lying around unused in Switzerland. Their material value alone easily exceeds 60 million Swiss francs. The proceeds from the resale of used cell phones and the proper recycling of old devices benefit SOS Children's Villages Switzerland.
Especially in view of scarce natural resources, however, the material obtained from recycling is also very valuable. After all, the rare earths needed to manufacture new cell phones come from all over the world. Thanks to Mobile Aid, Swisscom is tapping into a resource in its own country that also creates low-threshold and social jobs in its own country through recycling.
