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911
Emergency Use of Old Cell Phones Our
recycling facility "breaks down" less than 5% of all of the cell phones that
get returned.
Those that have market value get sold to be used in cell phone networks in
other countries. This allows users in those countries the ability to
get a cell phone at a much lower price.
95%
of the phones that have no value are sent FREE of charge through non-profits
to those that need 911 Emergency service.
These used to be distributed primarily to domestic abuse programs, but the
need has expanded to low income seniors, disabled, and others.
Any
group that needs these phones can get them free of charge through a
registered
non-profit organization.
This applies to
all cell phones returned via the USPS Flat Rate boxes. If you put cell
phones in your inkjet boxes they do not qualify.
Someone out
there could make good use of those phones you've tucked away!
Please Recycle. |
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All Makes and Models of Cell Phones Accepted
in
Two ways to Recycle
Cell Phones
1. USPS Flat Rate boxes for quantities of 40-50 phones at a
time
(We supply the prepaid USPS shipping labels)
2. Desktop Cell Phone Collection boxes.
The return rates on phones returned using desktop collection
boxes are slightly lower due to the cost of providing and
shipping empty collection boxes, however the visible
box promotes the program and many organizations will collect
significantly more cell phones this way.
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Why Recycle Cell Phones?
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Ship 40 - 50 Cell Phones per Shipment
Ongoing Cell Phone collections
for organizations of all sizes.
For anyone collecting cell phones on an ongoing basis, keep the
flyers we send you, and your USPS Flat Rate boxes, pictured below,
out at all times.
When you have a full box, put your prepaid label on the top
and give to your mail carrier.
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Cell Phones are Toxic Electronic Waste!
Cell Phones are highly toxic if they are put in landfills and
crushed. The chemicals released by crushed Cell Phones will
show up in the plants and ground water for decades - possibly
centuries.
These chemicals include arsenic, mercury, lead, copper, zinc and
brominated flame retardants. The effects of all of these
chemicals in our environment are not fully known.
Cell Phone Recycling Rates are still low
Most cell phone carriers have their own recycling programs, yet
overall less than 25% of all obsolete cell phones are being recycled.
We have to do better with our toxic electronic waste.
Many schools or non-profit organizations will have cell phone
recycling programs but these are not constant, as many times
these programs fall apart after the volunteer or advocate leaves.
Cell Phone Sales continue to grow year over year
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U.S.
Postal Service Flat Rate box
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The latest estimates state that over 500 million cell phones will be
out of service by 2005 (most recent data) and this number grows by
over 150 million per year as the sales of cell phones increases.
Most of these cell phones DO NOT get recycled.
What happens to all of the old cell phones?
They mostly go into drawers, car glove compartments or some other
"nook and cranny". Like other electronic waste we think if
it's out of sight it just might go away!
What is the solution?
We have to get cell phone recycling programs in as many business and
other locations as possible. These need to be programs that
will be there on an ongoing basis, as people continue to purchase
new phones and retire old ones.
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Please think about the impact that the chemicals in cell phones have on our
soil, water and overall environment.
Please consider a cell phone recycling program at your place of
business, church, school or government office that will be ongoing
and permanent.
These are the most effective programs in raising recycling rates
over time.
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