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As part of the initiative, mobile phone users who recycle their old mobile devices at any Nokia Care Centre in UAE, Oman and Qatar can stand to win one of 200 Turtle Adoption Packs, which includes receiving an adoption certificate for the endangered Hawksbill turtles which are native to Gulf waters.

The Marine Turtle Conservation Project gathers data about the endangered Hawksbill species and its migration patterns across the Gulf. EWS-WWF with the support of its partners in UAE, Qatar and Oman, employs satellite tracking technology with the aim of tagging up to 75 turtles. The information gathered from the satellite tracking will shape regional conservation plans. Hawksbill turtles, native to Gulf waters, are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Harvesting of eggs at beaches, loss and degradation of habitats as well as accidental capture all contribute to the decline in the Hawksbill turtle population.

Nokia’s regional ‘Take Back’ recycling initiative was launched in 2009 and has been continuously extended, for example via school projects conducted with Emirates Environmental Group, or activation campaigns at Nokia Care centres.

“We believe that raising awareness is a vital first step towards galvanising environmental action among people,” says Ulrike Vott, Sustainability Manager Nokia Middle East. “With this initiative, we are securing two positive outcomes for the environment when you recycle an unwanted or even broken mobile phone with us: First - if recycled in a responsible manner - the materials in your old device can be regained to make new things and nothing has to be wasted or sent for landfill. And secondly, by recycling with us during this initiative, we make you a supporter to the Marine Turtle Conservation Project that aims to protect one of the region’s most unique species of wildlife.”

With 200 Turtle Adoption Packs given to mobile phone users taking part in the initiative, Nokia aims to encourage consumers to be environmentally conscious and to protect the natural heritage of the region.

EWS-WWF Programme Director Lisa Perry said, “We are excited about working with Nokia to promote environmentally conscious behavior in the region. Through this joint collaboration we are helping the conservation of important marine species, like the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle, through the EWS-WWF Marine Turtle Conservation Project. Turtles play a vital role in marine ecosystems and their survival is imperative to the survival of these eco-systems. The initiative with Nokia is also raising awareness of the importance of recycling and wise consumption of resources that are key for the sustainability of our planet and enable us to live in harmony with nature”.

EWS-WWF has partnered with the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Sharjah EPAA and Emirates Marine Environmental Group in the UAE; the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs and Environment Society of Oman in Oman; and the Ministry of Environment, Qatar University and Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar to execute this nature conservation project.

Nokia, a global leader in sustainability, has a long track record of taking social and environmental responsibility into account along the entire lifecycle of the company’s products and operations. By providing more than 6000 collection points for responsible recycling of unwanted devices, accessories, batteries and chargers of any brand in nearly 100 countries, the company makes it easy for people to recycle. Nokia does not resell the collected material but works with a network of approved recyclers, encouraging high standard local recycling infrastructure build-up.

All Nokia Care Centres in UAE, Oman and Qatar have permanent ‘Take-Back’ and recycling points installed to participate in this campaign. To find the nearest recycling point locations go to http://www.nokia.com/recycle