Cell Phone Recycling Program

A cell phone recycling program is an excellent way to get rid of your old cell phone while helping others and protecting the environment. The EPA states that only 10 percent of cell phones are currently recycled, even though the environmental and community benefits of recycling are significant.

Next time you switch service providers or upgrade your cell phone, do not toss your old phone in the trash or stash it in a drawer somewhere. Consider the benefits of recycling your mobile phone.

In addition to taking up valuable space in landfills, cell phones contain a number of hazardous chemicals and materials that are harmful to the environment. Some common components of cell phones, such as mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead, are toxic to pets and humans. Moreover, research has shown that disposing of cell phones in landfills causes dangerous levels of lead to leach into the surrounding environment. This lead contaminates the soil and may potentially poison your community’s water supply.

Mobile phones are manufactured from plastics, precious metals and copper, all of which require a tremendous amount of energy to mine and extract. Cell phone recycling programs prevent these valuable materials from ending up in incinerators and landfills, while conserving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If all of the estimated 100 million unused cell phones in the United States were recycled, the resulting energy savings would be sufficient to power nearly 20,000 households for an entire year.

Some organizations donate used cell phones to those who are in need of wireless communication but are unable to afford it. The used cell phones are refurbished, cleaned, and then passed out free or for a reduced price to those in need. Any proceeds from these programs return to the donating organization, where they are used for other charitable causes.

• WirelessFundraiser.com allows you to choose the organization you wish to support with your donation, and provides a printable, postage-paid USPS label for your package.

• Cell Phones for Soldiers is a program that passes out recycled and refurbished cell phones to troops overseas so that they may call home and speak with loved ones.

• Call to Protect collects used cell phones and passes them out to domestic violence victims. The goal of this program is to enable victims to reach help by phone in the event of an emergency.

Most cell phone manufacturers and retailers offer ongoing collection and recycling programs where mobile users can drop off or mail in used cell phones. In many cases, a special collection bag and envelope is included in the box at the time of purchase. Most of these programs allow free recycling of all cell phones, regardless of brand or age of the phone.

If you are interested in recycling your used cell phone, you can check with your child's school or your church to determine if they have a cell phone recycling program. If not, you can call other local organizations, contact your state's environmental agency, or search for a drop off location near you by visiting the Call 2 Recycle website and searching by zip code. Earth 911 also offers a zip code search for recycling old cell phones.

There is no reason for your unwanted cell phone to take up space in your kitchen drawer or cabinet. Donate it to someone in need to help your community and protect your environment.

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