The Queensland public service is rolling out a trial mobile phone recycling program, which is expected to recycle up to 25,000 business and private mobile phones.

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said there were an estimated two million surplus mobile phones across the state at risk of ending up in landfill.

The trial program has already begun in the Department of Public Works office in Brisbane.

“Recycling mobile phones is the only sensible and sustainable alternative,” Mr Schwarten said in a statement.

“This is a problem that is only going to get worse with the continued exponential growth in mobile phone use.”

Mr Schwarten said mobile phone recycling bins had been placed in prominent positions in the Department of Public Works, supported by an internal awareness campaign.

If the trial proves successful, consultations will take place with other public service departments to consider a whole-of-government program.

The Government will also call for tenders for services from a mobile phone recycling company.

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