Thanks to Proximus and Brainscape, 20,000 old mobile phones were given a second life
The music fades, tents come down and the festival grounds slowly empty. What remains are thousands of small decisions made by visitors. Last summer, festivalgoers handed in more than 20,000 old mobile phones. An impressive number, but above all the start of a journey that usually remains unseen. Because what actually happens to a device once it is handed in?
From collection to decision
Across six major Belgian festivals, visitors could leave their old mobile phone or tablet at the Proximus stand. In return, they received drink vouchers or a cashless credit. A simple action, with a clear impact.
For Brainscape, the work started after the collection phase. As a Recupel-recognised partner, we were responsible for the complete processing of the devices. Each device was assessed individually. Not by volume, but by potential.
- Is reuse possible?
- Can the device be prepared for refurbishment?
- Are any components still suitable for reuse?
Only when none of these options remained viable did recycling come into play.
Reuse where possible, recycling when necessary
Devices suitable for reuse or refurbishment were given a second life. Components with residual value were reintegrated into the supply chain. When reuse was no longer feasible, valuable metals were carefully recovered through recycling.
Reuse has the lowest environmental impact and preserves the highest value. That is why it always takes priority. Recycling remains an essential step, as it allows materials to stay within the circular chain. This order is deliberate. Reuse and refurbishment first, recycling only when all other options have been exhausted.
Why this matters
In Belgium, millions of unused mobile phones are estimated to be stored away in drawers and cupboards. Initiatives like this demonstrate how much impact is possible when collection is accessible and processing is carried out correctly.
This summer campaign formed part of a broader collaboration between Proximus and Brainscape. Throughout the year, devices were collected via shops, companies, schools and events. In 2024 alone, this resulted in more than 140,000 devices.
For Brainscape, this reinforces a key principle. Circularity only works when awareness is followed by careful, certified processing. That is where real impact is created.