RECYCLING: Proper Disposal of Old Cellphones

We all know that collection of e-waste is a growing industry and a necessary industry, and that industry needs to include the proper disposal of old cellphones. The EPA estimates that 150 million cellphones are taken out of service each year (and that number will grow because young people trade up more frequently than most adults and because more families have individual cellphones in lieu of land lines). “There are significant environmental and energy benefits to getting these phones back into the product stream,” the director of the EPA's office of solid waste, Matt Hale, said.

The $175,000 campaign — “Recycle Your Cellphone. It’s an Easy Call” — will rely heavily on public service announcements, particularly in lifestyle and technology magazines read by the 18- to 34-year-olds. “Our key role is to get the message out, that recycling cellphones is easy and convenient,” said Mr. Hale, who estimates that 20 percent of unwanted cellphones are recycled or reused each year. Eleven companies — AT&T, Best Buy, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Office Depot, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Sprint, Staples and T-Mobile — are partners in the campaign. Each has promised to collect phones and hold recycling events. The Sprint Buyback Program lets customers swap old phones for a credit of up to $50 on their bills.

Spread the word that cellphone recycling is easy and necessary.

(classic Bacsik)