|
Recycle Cell Phones
Technological advancements providing users with
improved reception through integrated antenna systems,
reduced size and weight of cell phones, along with numerous
feature sets, and storage improvements have caused the
bulk of cellular phone users and enthusiasts to upgrade
to new and improved handsets. The low cost of cell phones
and the added technological improvements mean that the
majority of cellular phone users are on their 2nd or
3rd generation hand set.
Environmental Concerns
What many don't realize is that in many cases,
the materials used to construct cell phones are toxic.
Toxic elements found in many of today's cell phones
can include arsenic, in semiconductors and lead in the
solder material. While the materials in a single phone
are minimal consider the number of discarded cell phones
in the relatively short time the technology has been
available. The placement of these devices in landfills
will cause long lasting damage and harm to the environment.
Recycling aged wireless equipment is a
sensible alternative. Valuable materials can be recovered
from used wireless devices in a number of different
ways. In some cases, certain components may be separated
by manual or simple mechanical means. The components
can often be reused or melted down for alternative uses.
Cell Phone Disposal - What
Options Exist?
Cell Phone Disposal - What Options Exist? The cell phone
industry, understanding concerns related to the disposal
of cell phones and PDAs have created alternatives to
both refurbish and recycle the materials in older style
cellular phones.
Wireless Recycling
ReCellular Inc. is the largest recycler and reseller
of used wireless phones and accessories in the wireless
industry. A pioneer in charitable recycling arrangements,
ReCellular has well-established partnerships with Easter
Seals, the March of Dimes, and National Organization
on Disability, Goodwill Industries, and The Body Shop.
In addition, over 2,000 grassroots organizations from
Boy Scout troops to religious organizations around the
country work to collect wireless phones to support their
philanthropic efforts. Charities can raise funds by
increasing community awareness and acting as a wireless
collection center.
Wireless Foundation
http://www.wirelessfoundation.org
Wireless Foundation refurbishes and provides cell phones
to victims of domestic violence so that they can be
used in the event of an emergency. The Call To Protect
campaign also collects wireless phones to benefit victims
of domestic violence. Proceeds from the sale of phones
help fund agencies that fight domestic violence and
are used to support educational efforts of the Wireless
Foundation. Other phones are refurbished and become
lifelines for domestic violence victims when faced with
an emergency situation.
Recycle Wireless Phones
http://www.recyclewirelessphones.com
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA*)
and its member companies are committed to the goal of
sustainable development and the environmentally sound
management of their wireless products at end-of-life.
Through its Wireless . . . The New Recyclable program,
CTIA is educating the public on the options available
for properly recycling used wireless devices. The program
seeks to promote the collection of used wireless devices
and ensure that collected wireless products will be
managed properly. The site provides a directory of collection
options.
AT&T Wireless
http://www.attwireless.com
Through the AT&T Wireless Reuse & Recycle program, consumers
are invited to bring unwanted wireless phones, accessories
and batteries (regardless of the manufacturer or carrier)
to an AT&T Wireless retail store for recycling. AT&T
Wireless is the first wireless carrier to partner with
Keep America Beautiful, a nationally recognized nonprofit
organization that focuses on waste impact minimization,
litter prevention, beautification, community improvement
and improvement of public places. Proceeds from the
recycling of wireless phones, batteries and accessories
are donated to Keep America Beautiful.
Call2Recycle
http://www.call2recycle.org/
RBRC’s Call2Recycle™ program collects used cellular
phones to benefit the environment and charitable organizations.
With the help of consumers and 30,000 participating
retail locations, RBRC's do their part in helping to
keep cell phones out of the landfills.
HopeLine
https://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/domestic-violence-prevention
The HopeLine phone recycling program is an exclusive
program that uses wireless services and equipment to
assist victims in emergency domestic violence situations.
HopeLine collects wireless phones that are no longer
being used. The used phones are either refurbished and
recycled or sold. With the funds raised from the sale
of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless purchases
wireless phones and donates airtime to victims of domestic
violence through human services and law enforcement
agencies.
Read More on How to Dispose of Old Cell Phones
|
Recycling Cellular Phones
