Nokia extends recycling program to include Nokia Flagship Store drop-off, free return envelope and dedicated toll-free line

NEW YORK, Oct. 4 -- Nokia today launched a recycling campaign with a goal to collect 100,000 unwanted mobile devices between now and America Recycles Day 2007, November 15th. The campaign will kick off tonight at an International House (I-House) event at the Nokia Flagship Store in Manhattan, where Nokia and global conservation organization WWF will highlight contributions that businesses can make to address environmental issues and promote environmental awareness.

According to The US Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Benefits Calculator, taking back and recycling just 10,000 cell phones conserves enough resources to power 19 US homes for one year. It would reduce "greenhouse gas" equaling the same as if we removed 14 passenger cars from the road for one year.

Further enhancing its already well-established online program for downloading postage-paid return labels for recycling unwanted phones, batteries and accessories, Nokia today is giving consumers have even more options. These include in-store drop off of phones, batteries and accessories, the opportunity to pick up a postage-paid green mailer at the Nokia Flagship Store, and a new nation-wide toll free number 1-87 RECYCLES (877-329-2537) which goes live today.

"Environmental responsibility is an obligation for all -- corporations, public institutions and citizens alike," said Rick Simonson, I-house board of trustee's member and chief financial officer for Nokia. "If we all play our part, the seemingly small individual efforts can collectively make a significant impact on our community and our future environment."

To complement its ongoing recycling initiatives, Mayor Bloomberg's office commends the move and challenges New Yorkers to take part in recycling their unwanted mobile phones, an activity intended to culminate on the America Recycles Day, November 15th.

"We applaud Nokia's effort to encourage the proper recycling of unwanted electronics," said Rohit Aggarwala, Director of the Mayor's Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability. "We hope that every New Yorker will join in and be a part of this effort."

In an attempt to better understand what motivates consumers to participate in such recycling programs, Nokia surveyed 400 New Yorkers and asked the question, "What have you done with the mobile devices that you no longer use?" The majority -- 60 percent -- stated that not only have they kept their phones and stored them away, but that a large proportion of consumers are not even aware of the options available for recycling their old phones and devices.

"WWF is in its fourth year of working with Nokia on joint initiatives to create environmental awareness and to demonstrate how together we all can adopt and environmentally friendly lifestyles - both at home and at work," commented Suzanne Apple, vice president and managing director, Business and Industry, WWF. "Tonight's program is another example of Nokia's commitment to environmental sustainability."

"Nokia has been at the forefront of driving 'green thinking' for years and manages environmental issues throughout the life of a phone. This starts with the careful choice of the materials it is made from, and ends with making sure it can easily be brought back for proper recycling" said David Conrad, head of Nokia's North American environmental activities. "We encourage people to take advantage of the many options they now have to do their part in recycling unwanted products."

The Nokia New York Flagship Store is located at 5 East 57th St. (at Fifth Avenue) in Manhattan and additional details from the Nokia survey key findings can be handled through the U.S. communication team.

More information on Nokia's commitment to the environment, including how Nokia develops sustainable products, implements sustainable practices and demands sustainable behavior from employees and suppliers can be found at http://www.nokia.com/environment .

For more information on I-House, please visit: http://www.ihouse-nyc.org/

For more information on WWF, the global conservation organization, please visit: http://www.panda.org/