Recycling Cell Phones
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 semi-conductors 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 - http://www.wirelessrecycling.com
- 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/DonateaPhone/index.cfm
- 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/our_company/cares/recycle_program.jhtml
- 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 - http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline
- 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.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net
a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless
messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be
found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com
, and http://www.small-business-software.net
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