| Frequently Asked
Questions and Answers Cell
Phones
Cell
phones contain toxic metals such as arsenic, beryllium, cadmium,
copper and nickel and should not be disposed of in the trash. According to the Cellular Telecommunications and
Internet Association (CTIA), the cell phone industry's trade
group, there are more than 135 million people currently registered
as cell phone users, and the number is growing.
By 2005, there will be at least 200 million cell phones in
use throughout the country and another 500 million older cell
phones still in use, according to the study.
A
new rule taking effect Nov. 24, 2003 will allow cell phone users
to keep their phone numbers if they buy new cell phones or switch
providers. News sources are reporting that this will result in
accelerated cell phone disposal in landfills during the next few
months. To anticipate the e-waste glut, the wireless industry has
launched www.recyclewirelessphones.org,
a Web site offering recycling tips to consumers.
Other
cell phone recycling Web sites include:
www.oldcellphone.com
– Free shipping – they’ll send you packaging and postage!
www.recyclefirst.com
-- $1.00 paid per cell phone; free shipping.
www.phonefund.com
-- Cell phone collection fundraiser for organizations.
www.collectivegood.com
– Cell phone collection and recycling. CollectiveGood and
Staples now offer a nationwide Mobile Devices Recycling program in
all Staples stores that makes it easy for customers to recycle
their used cell phones, PDAs, pagers and rechargeable batteries.
Customers can recycle these devices by simply dropping them off
while they shop at their local Staples store. A large portion of
the proceeds generated from recycling the mobile electronics
devices will be donated to the Sierra Club, America’s largest
grassroots environmental organization to fund environmental
education and conservation programs.
www.wirelessfoundation.org
-- The DONATE A PHONE® CALL TO PROTECT®
campaign collects wireless phones to benefit victims of domestic
violence. Proceeds from the sale of phones help fund agencies that
fight domestic violence and are also used to support the
educational efforts of the Wireless Foundation. Other phones are
refurbished and become lifelines for domestic violence victims
when faced with an emergency situation. |
