If you're like me, you probably have an old cell phone laying around (or if really you're like me, probably two, or three). It makes sense to keep one as a "back up", but how about the others?
The good news is there are some really great programs that make it super easy to recycle your phone (working or not). AND, not only will you feel good about helping the planet, your donation helps in other ways too!
I'm a T-Mobile customer so I looked there first. T-Mobile has a "Handset Recycling Program" that is one of the many new efforts connected with the EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge. In general, a wireless phone handset consists of 40% metals, 40% plastics, and 20% ceramics and other trace materials.
T-Mobiles program promotes the recycling and reuse of old wireless devices that might otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators--and 100% of the net proceeds from handset recycling benefit the charitable efforts of the T-Mobile Huddle Up program. T-Mobile Huddle Up is a national community outreach program that connects kids, primarily from single-parent families in high-need, urban communities to positive people, places, and programs. The cool part about Huddle Up is it's not only money, T-Mobile employees donate their TIME to this cause as well.
Verizon also has a program to recycle phones. Their long-running HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment in any condition from any service provider. The used phones are either refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless donates wireless phones and airtime to victims, and provides funding and other contributions to non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country.
Verizon Wireless also concentrates on protecting the environment by collecting spent rechargeable batteries for recycling. Through HopeLine's recycling efforts, more than 1 million phones and more than 200 tons of electronics waste and batteries have been kept out of landfills since October of 2001 when Verizon Wireless launched its national recycling program.
Both Verizon and T-Mobile accept ANY phone at their stores. They accept all brands and models of wireless phones, batteries, PDAs, and accessories for recycling. You can also MAIL them your old phone. Get more details at Verizon's or T-Mobile pages.
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