Lisa H. Ruder
With an average life span of 18 months, cells phones are a disposable or recyclable item. The life after the original owner follows either an informal and formal system. The informal system includes retiring our old phone as a back-up, just in case, the new phone is stolen, falls in the water, or takes a fatal fall and breaks. Or the old phone is given to one of the kids to replace their current phone. Another informal method is to donate the phone directly to battered women's shelters. The recipients of these phones are able to access 911 even if the phone is not on a paid service. Before donating directly to a battered women's shelter, take care to delete ALL stored phone numbers, call history or messages. An alternative to getting the phone into the hands of a victim of domestic violence is to utilize the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This organization offers a nationwide mailing service for donated cell phones. Phones can also be donated to the non-profit Cell Phones for Soldiers. This service provides phones and prepaid phone cards to active duty soldiers.
The engine of these take-back programs is provided by ReCellular, the world's largest cell phone recycler. In addition to receiving cell phones from the non-profits, the company receives cell phones from large hardware and service providers like Verizon, Sprint, Target, Best Buy and ATT. Typically the providers will pay you for your old phone. When Recellular receives its share of the more than 130 million cell phones that are recycled each year they are routed to two streams: refurbishment or recycling. More that 60% of the cell phones are refurbished each year. ReCellular takes on the responsibility of removing all stored data: cell phone numbers, messages, and call history. The balance of phones are recycled to the highest environmental standards.
Another option for recycling is the ecoATM. These smart looking green and white kiosks are found in local malls are able to take back your cell phone. Plug the phone into the appropriate data link- the kiosk is equipped with all current and past formats. Next, the ecoATM system reads the make and model of the phone and does a quick system check to access the phones value. This eco-efficient system creates the convenience of in mall recycling.
When a phone is recycled seventeen metals including gold can be reclaimed. Recycling a cell phone mitigates about 3.5 tons of mining waste. With such a significant impact, ecoATM's simple and accessible method for cell phone recycling earned them the CONNECT Most Innovative Product in 2009, Popular Science Magazine: Best of What's New, Green Technology Honoree in 2010, and CES 2011:Innovations Honoree in Sustainability.
http://www.examiner.com/article/cell-phone-recycling
