We report the Take Back Mobile Devices ESG KPI based on the reference value “number of devices in circulation.” This makes it possible to show the ratio of collected devices to the number of devices sold. When the devices are used for longer periods of time, the environment benefits and, as a result, this has a positive impact on the KPI.

In 2022, the value of the Take Back Mobile Devices ESG KPI was 3.8 percent for the Group (excluding T-Mobile US and DTSE units). This means, for every 100 devices put into circulation each year, we take back around 3.8 via collection campaigns. In 2021, we expanded our data collection and, in addition to the return of mobile devices, also report the return of mobile phones. The KPI for mobile phone take-back was 2.3 percent in 2022.

Our ambition in this connection: Increase the KPI

In 2022, over 150 000 mobile phones were collected throughout the Group (excl. T-Mobile US). The corresponding KPI for the Group (excl. T-Mobile US) is 2.3 percent. The aim of the scheme for collection of used mobile devices is to give the devices a second life and, where that is not feasible, to properly recycle them, in order to recover the valuable raw materials they contain. With these efforts, over 3.4 million used mobile devices have been reused or recycled in Germany since 2003. This has conserved resources, and it has helped to improve the life cycle assessments for mobile devices overall.

The quantities of collected devices are reported in kilograms or in numbers of items. When using kilograms, we apply a Group-wide conversion factor of 7.25 items per kilogram, except where a different conversion factor is typically used in the country concerned. The mobile devices in circulation include smartphones, simple phones, tablets, and cordless phones. In the interest of data quality, numbers of items are reported by Procurement.