The 13-year-old Kaikorai Valley College pupil is trying to collect 165 old mobile phones, so he can swap them for a
new Apple iPad under an initiative run by Autism New Zealand and Swapkit New Zealand.
The Otago Daily Times came to his aid by donating 80 old mobile phones to his tally of disused equipment.
Nathan was gobsmacked with the haul, which included phones built, used and retired before he was even born.
''That's brilliant. I'm really grateful.
''That's 93 down, 72 to go,'' he said.
Nathan was inspired to participate in the initiative because he has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism, and he wanted to help others with the condition.
He hoped to collect enough phones to swap for at least one Apple iPad, which he planned to give to the school, for use by pupils with autism and at the Braithwaite Centre (a learning support area at the college, for pupils with special needs).
''If I can get enough for two iPads, that would be great,'' he said.
Swapkit New Zealand is a nationally accredited mobile phone recycler, and in a bid to help with the education of pupils with autism, the company is giving away up to 1000 new iPads in exchange for the old technology.
The majority of devices Swapkit collects are shipped to developing countries where they are refurbished and sold for reuse in second-hand markets.
A small percentage of the devices are unsuitable for reuse, and are broken down into their individual parts for reuse or recycling.
Anyone wanting to get rid of their old mobile phones in an environmentally friendly way can drop them off at the Kaikorai Valley College office.
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Comments
I understand that Cargill Enterprises, who are the city's main recycler of e-waste, have donated 65 used cellphones to Nathan via Autism Otago to help get him a lot closer to his target shortfall of 154. Well done them!
Hi
This is Nathan.
I am so amazed at all the support from all over New Zealand. I have had letters of support from so many people, including bulk phones from Otematata, phones from Wanaka, and all around NZ.
I have received 65 used phones from Cargill Enterprisese - that's awesome, thank you very much!
ODT has collected 80 used phones - your support is amazing!!
I have received so many phones, I can't believe it!!
The latest count is over 400, which means my school, Kaikorai Valley College, can receive 2 ipads for the use of students who have learning/communication disabilities, like Autism.
I am still collecting used phones, and I am working towards a 3rd ipad for my school.
I have already traded 200 phones with Swapkit NZ, and we are excitedly awaiting the arrival of the 1st ipad!!
We are letting Michaela from Swapkit know that we have another 200 phones ready to be collected.
I would like to specially thank Katherine Mary Malloy,, secretary at KVC, who has helped me on this journey - a very special lady.
Also, I would like to thank John Lewis (and his team at the ODT)for all his support and kindness.
Thank you
Nathan