Dubai, 21st August, 2007: UAE motor sport icon Mohammed Ben Sulayem today pledged his support for the nationwide environmental drive to gather old and damaged mobile phones for recycling.
Sulayem is to take part in promotional and advertising activities behind the EnviroFone campaign on behalf of its patrons, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).
The 14 times Middle East rally champion today visited one of the 270 EnviroFone drop boxes spread across the UAE to deposit one of his old mobile phones.
More than 50,000 unused mobiles have been collected since mid-June when EnviroFone launched the campaign to protect the environment from contaminated and harmful toxins found in phones and accessories.
"This is a campaign I'm very happy to support," said Sulayem, President of the Emirates Automobile and Touring Club, who is passionate about environment protection.
"There is so much happening these days which has an impact on the desert environment that I love. We can all do more to protect it, and I'm pleased to offer my support to the TRA and EnviroFone.
"I know thousands of people have already dropped off mobile phones they don't need, and I'm going to be asking any of my friends or family who haven't already done the same to get moving."
The drop boxes are located at ENOC petrol stations in Dubai, all ADNOC petrol stations in Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, Etisalat and du business centres, Al Rostamani currency exchange houses, Spinneys supermarkets, Magrudy's Book Stores, Lamcy Plaza in Dubai and FedEx locations in the UAE .
"We're grateful to Mohammed for supporting our efforts to make this campaign a growing success, " said HE Mohammed Al Ghanim, Director General and Board Member of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). "We're hoping many more celebrities and dignitaries will follow his example."
Stuart Fleming, Managing Director of EnviroFone and a former rally co-driver, said: "Mohammed is a tremendously well respected and influential figure in the UAE, and his backing for the campaign is a big boost."
Those disposing of unwanted phones in the EnviroFone drop boxes earn instant rewards such as a money off Etisalat and du bills and pre-paid cards, discounts at Japan Furniture Store and Magrudy's book stores, and free transactions at Al Rostamani exchange houses.
They also go into a raffle for monthly prizes such as Virgin Atlantic return tickets to London, and thousands of Air Miles which can be redeemed for a wide range of rewards.
Sulayem, meanwhile, is making environment protection a priority for events organised or overseen by the EATC. Over the years he has placed a big emphasis on minimising the effect on the environment of the UAE Desert Challenge, which he launched in 1991 and was the Middle East's first world championship motor sport event.
-Ends-
For more information please contact:
Lindsay Johnston
Tony Lewis
Total Communications
Tel: + 971 4 336 9909
Fax: + 971 4 336 9905
Email: lindsay@totalcompr.ae
Email: tony@totalcompr.ae
Press Release 2007
