Carolyn Couch, Community Liaison Officer at Biffa West Sussex has sent this seasonal story.

Oxfam Australia and a not-for-profit company recycling phones, MobileMuster, have teamed up again for Christmas 2011. 

For every two mobiles recycled the company will donate a chicken to a family through the Oxfam Unwrapped scheme.  More than 19 million old and broken mobile phones remain unused in drawers and cupboards and many more will be made redundant with new Christmas gifts this year.  Up to 2000 chickens will be donated through the initiative. 

For a family living below the poverty line in a country like Laos, a chicken can be an invaluable resource that can provide eggs for a regular income and food, Oxfam says.

This is the third year Oxfam Australia and MobileMuster have teamed up and their partnership has already seen more than 1000 chickens and 1000 ducks bought through the Unwrapped programme.