For every redundant handset recycled between now and World Environment Day on June 5, a native tree will be planted.

The Old Phones, More Trees campaign is a joint partnership between MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, and environmental group Landcare Australia.

MobileMuster manager Rose Read said old mobile phones, batteries and chargers could be recycled.

"The Old Phones, More Trees campaign has come at a great time, as the recent closure of the CDMA network means there are a lot of redundant mobile phones lying unused in homes and offices," she said.

Mid-North Coast commercial business specialist with Telstra Country Wide, John Weaver, said there had been an excellent response to the MobileMuster and expected more people to contribute with the new campaign.

"People can call into their nearest Telstra shop or dealer and leave their phones there," he said.

"Otherwise, they are just going to sit around in a drawer somewhere."

Landcare Australia chief executive Brian Scarsbrick said the joint campaign had been a big success last year; 75,000 trees are to be planted across Australia.

"Tree planting brings huge environmental benefits because trees absorb the harmful greenhouse gas carbon dioxide," he said.

"This helps to reduce the increase in global warming and also helps to regenerate the soil and conserve and create natural habitats."

In 2006-07, MobileMuster collected 86 tonnes of mobile phone components including 577,000 handsets and batteries.