Vodafone exchanges old mobiles for a DVD

On the occasion of World Environment Day, from the 8th of June, any customer who turns their used mobile phone into any Vodafone shop will receive a DVD of the unique ecological film, Home. Vodafone became the media partner for the film, Home, by Yann Arthus Bertrand, who had his photographic exhibition ‘Earth from Above’ in the Czech Republic, and is produced by the famous Luc Besson along with Czech commentary by Zdeněk Svěrák. The main message of the film is that each of us, through our behavior, can contribute to the environmental protection of the planet. Vodafone endeavors to broaden its programs of mobile phone recycling, purchasing ‘green energy’ and lowering the energy demands of its network. “Recycling old mobile phones saves natural resources just like recycling plastic or paper does,” says Přemysl Filip, Senior Manager for Corporate Responsibility at Vodafone.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, from the 8th of June, any customer who turns their used mobile phone into any Vodafone shop will receive a DVD of the unique ecological film, Home.

Vodafone became the media partner for the film, Home, by Yann Arthus Bertrand, who had his photographic exhibition ‘Earth from Above’ in the Czech Republic, and is produced by the famous Luc Besson along with Czech commentary by Zdeněk Svěrák.

The main message of the film is that each of us, through our behavior, can contribute to the environmental protection of the planet. Vodafone endeavors to broaden its programs of mobile phone recycling, purchasing ‘green energy’ and lowering the energy demands of its network. “Recycling old mobile phones saves natural resources just like recycling plastic or paper does,” says Přemysl Filip, Senior Manager for Corporate Responsibility at Vodafone.

For that reason, Vodafone will give a copy of the DVD, Home, to anyone who brings in an old mobile phone to any shop. This offer is valid from June 8, 2009 while supplies last – and there are 2 500 copies of the DVD distributed to shops throughout the country.

At the same time, Vodafone is installing recycle bins in its stores, where customers can deposit their used mobiles and accessories even after the end of the event. Vodafone will take care of their proper recycling.

SPI International Czech Republic s.r.o. is the Czech distributor for the film, Home, which will have its world-wide premier on June 5, during World Environment Day. In the Czech Republic, it will premier in an open-air screening in Prague’s Kampa Park, moderated by Ondřej Vetchý.

Vodafone and corporate responsibility

Corporate responsibility at Vodafone is founded on a responsible approach to society and the environment.

Vodafone invests in local philanthropic projects, practices fair marketing without hidden loopholes, ethical purchasing with an emphasis on the ecological and social behavior of its suppliers and recycling of old mobile phones. As the first company in the Czech Republic to do so, Vodafone publicly obliged itself to lower its CO2 emissions by half by 2020 and dedicated the entire space on its recharge cards to DMS campaigns. Thanks to cooperation with students, it succeeded in bringing a unique GSM/GPS navigation system for the blind to life. The volunteer program enables employees to work in the non-profit sector on Vodafone’s money. The flagship of Vodafone’s corporate responsibility is the Vodafone Czech Republic Foundation which focuses on supporting children, young people and disadvantaged social groups (the Vpoho and Vpohybu grant programs). Another grant program, A Year Differently has as its goal to connect the non-profit and commercial sectors, while the Green Program is aimed at the ecological needs of the community. In 2007, the Vodafone Foundation won the Via Bona prize for most innovative approach to charity and Vodafone was the winner of the national round of the CSR European Award 2008.