Vodafone partners with PK Porthcurno, Museum of Global Communications to offer free entry this Earth Day

This Earth Day (22 April, 2024), Vodafone and PK Porthcurno, Museum of Global Communications have joined forces to offer free entry to the heritage site. 

The museum is currently showing ‘Going Mobile’, an exhibition delivered in partnership with the Mobile Phone Museum, and sponsored by Vodafone which explores the amazing journey of the everyday communication device from an exclusive status symbol, used mainly for voice calls, to a mini computer in our pockets.

To gain free access, customers simply need to donate an old smartphone or tablet through The Great British Tech Appeal and show their confirmation email at the Museum reception.

Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of sustainability, encouraging people to come together and take action for a healthier planet and brighter future, something which Vodafone’s Great British Tech Appeal aims to support. Every device that is donated is either cleaned up, reboxed and given to someone in need, along with six months of free data, calls or texts or recycled – both of which reduce waste and protect the planet too. To date, Vodafone has reused or recycled more than 20,000 devices through the programme.

Curated by PK Porthcurno, ‘Going Mobile’ includes over 70 phones and objects selected from the Mobile Phone Museum’s extraordinary collection of over 2700 unique devices which range from the earliest ‘brick’ devices of the 1980s, to flip phones, sliders, and clamshells, to the latest smartphones. This will be the first time that the phones have been on public display as a collection.

Ben Wood, Founder, Mobile Phone Museum, says: “The sheer number of mobile phones sold annually means there are billions of devices languishing in drawers and cupboards. We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with Vodafone to support the Great British Tech Appeal. This will ensure some of these phones have a second and third life or are recycled responsibly, with the added upside of those donating being able to secure a free visit to the PK Porthcurno Museum to see the exciting Going Mobile exhibition.”

Julia Twomlow, Chief Executive and Creative Director, PK Porthcurno, says: “We are delighted to partner with Vodafone and offer free museum entry to those donating their old phones and tablets. ‘Going Mobile’ tells the fascinating history of the mobile phone but also raises awareness of the environmental impacts of ever evolving mobile technology.

"Earth Day and Vodafone’s brilliant Great British Tech Appeal is the perfect opportunity to highlight the need for improved sustainability in the communications industry and we look forward to welcoming new visitors to the museum and our latest exhibition.”