Technological advancements providing users with improved 
reception through integrated antenna systems, reduced size and 
weight of cell phones, along with numerous feature sets, and 
storage improvements have caused the bulk of cellular phone 
users and enthusiasts to upgrade to new and improved handsets. 
The low cost of cell phones and the added technological 
improvements mean that the majority of cellular phone users 
are on their 2nd or 3rd generation hand set. 



Environmental Concerns

What many don't realize is that in many cases, the materials 
used to construct cell phones are toxic. Toxic elements found 
in many of today's cell phones can include arsenic, in 
semi-conductors and lead in the solder material. While the 
materials in a single phone are minimal consider the number 
of discarded cell phones in the relatively short time the 
technology has been available. The placement of these devices 
in landfills will cause long lasting damage and harm to the 
environment. 



Recycling aged wireless equipment is a sensible alternative. 

Valuable materials can be recovered from used wireless devices 
in a number of different ways. In some cases, certain components 
may be separated by manual or simple mechanical means. The 
components can often be reused or melted down for alternative 
uses.



Cell Phone Disposal - What Options Exist?

Cell Phone Disposal - What Options Exist? The cell phone 
industry, understanding concerns related to the disposal of 
cell phones and PDAs have created alternatives to both 
refurbish and recycle the materials in older style cellular 
phones. 


Wireless Recycling - 
http://www.wirelessrecycling.com - 

ReCellular Inc. is the largest recycler and reseller of used 
wireless phones and accessories in the wireless industry. A 
pioneer in charitable recycling arrangements, ReCellular has 
well-established partnerships with Easter Seals, the March of 
Dimes, and National Organization on Disability, Goodwill 
Industries, and The Body Shop. In addition, over 2,000 
grassroots organizations from Boy Scout troops to religious 
organizations around the country work to collect wireless 
phones to support their philanthropic efforts. Charities can 
raise funds by increasing community awareness and acting as 
a wireless collection center.


Wireless Foundation - 
http://www.wirelessfoundation.org/DonateaPhone/index.cfm - 

Wireless Foundation refurbishes and provides cell phones to 
victims of domestic violence so that they can be used in the 
event of an emergency. The Call To Protect campaign also 
collects wireless phones to benefit victims of domestic violence. 
Proceeds from the sale of phones help fund agencies that fight 
domestic violence and are used to support educational efforts of 
the Wireless Foundation. Other phones are refurbished and become 
lifelines for domestic violence victims when faced with an 
emergency situation.


Recycle Wireless Phones - 
http://www.recyclewirelessphones.com - 

Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA*) and 
its member companies are committed to the goal of sustainable 
development and the environmentally sound management of their 
wireless products at end-of-life. Through its Wireless . . . 
The New Recyclable program, CTIA is educating the public on the 
options available for properly recycling used wireless devices. 
The program seeks to promote the collection of used wireless 
devices and ensure that collected wireless products will be 
managed properly. The site provides a directory of collection 
options. 


AT&T Wireless - 
http://www.attwireless.com/our_company/cares/recycle_program.jhtml - 

Through the AT&T Wireless Reuse & Recycle program, consumers 
are invited to bring unwanted wireless phones, accessories and 
batteries (regardless of the manufacturer or carrier) to an AT&T 
Wireless retail store for recycling. AT&T Wireless is the first 
wireless carrier to partner with Keep America Beautiful, a 
nationally recognized nonprofit organization that focuses on 
waste impact minimization, litter prevention, beautification, 
community improvement and improvement of public places. Proceeds 
from the recycling of wireless phones, batteries and accessories 
are donated to Keep America Beautiful. 


Call2Recycle - 
http://www.call2recycle.org/ - 

RBRC's Call2Recycle™ program collects used cellular phones to 
benefit the environment and charitable organizations. With the 
help of consumers and 30,000 participating retail locations, 
RBRC's do their part in helping to keep cell phones out of the 
landfills.


HopeLine - 
http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline - 

The HopeLine phone recycling program is an exclusive program 
that uses wireless services and equipment to assist victims 
in emergency domestic violence situations. HopeLine collects 
wireless phones that are no longer being used. The used phones 
are either refurbished and recycled or sold. With the funds 
raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless 
purchases wireless phones and donates airtime to victims of 
domestic violence through human services and law enforcement 
agencies.