French telecoms company Orange has opened its fifth African mobile telephone recycling facility in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The facility, which is forms part of a partnership with Emmaüs International, will collect used mobiles, chargers and batteries for recycling.

According to a press statement the growing use of mobile phones on the continent is creating a major environmental issue.

There are millions of discarded handsets, which are often simply thrown away or burned due to the lack of recycling facilities in the majority of African countries, the stament notes.

However, the launch of this facility in the West African nation will ensure that mobile waste is collected to be recylced in France.

"At each facility, which is run by six local employees, more than 10 tonnes of mobile waste is collected each year and sent to France for recycling," the statement reads.

"Over the next five years, Orange and Emmaüs International plan to continue opening new collection facilities, which contributes to local economies and social welfare while protecting the environment," according to the statement.

Orange has launched similar dismantling facilities for mobile phones in Burkina Faso, Benin, Madagascar and Niger.

Orange is present in 20 countries across Africa.