WASHINGTON-The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association today launched a new campaign to bring awareness to its own phone recycling program and the recycling efforts of several of its members.
“The wireless industry has been a leader in encouraging the safe management of its used hardware, recycling tons of wireless devices and accessories over the past five years,” said outgoing CTIA President Thomas Wheeler.
The new program “Wireless . The New Recyclable” was launched at a press conference at CTIA’s Wireless IT & Entertainment conference in Las Vegas.
“Today’s launch is a proactive and cooperative effort to responsibly manage retired wireless devices and focus public attention on proper recycling of used wireless devices,” said CTIA in a statement.
As part of the initiative, a new Web site has been created at recyclewirelessphones.com.
CTIA, through its Wireless Foundation, already uses donated phones-one of the principles of the new initiative. The Wireless Foundation is partnered with ReCellular Inc.
“Through its many corporate and charitable partnerships, ReCellular will recycle, refurbish or resell more than 4.5 million used wireless phones in 2003. Its commitment to protecting the environment, while raising millions of dollars for hundreds of non-profit organizations, matches perfectly the worthy humanitarian and environmental goals of CTIA’s Wireless Foundation,” said ReCellular. “We heartily endorse CTIA’s educational efforts and look forward to the day when people around the world will understand and take part in the many benefits of wireless handset recycling.”
Carriers and manufacturers all hailed the new initiative, which like the recently launched consumer code of conduct, is a voluntary set of guidelines and principles. Many carriers have their own branded efforts, such as AT&T Wireless Reuse & Recycle and Sprint Project Connect.
“Sony Ericsson considers sustainable development one of the most important challenges for the future,” said Sony Ericsson. “Environmental work at Sony Ericsson is based on a lifecycle approach. Environmental concern is integrated in product design and supplier selection. Sony Ericsson works to improve product recycling, and at production sites and logistics systems implement environmental management to prevent pollution.”
In addition, The Wireless Foundation announced an unprecedented $1.7 million donation to the nation’s leading domestic violence service and prevention organizations. The grants are a result of the national Donate A Phone campaign. To date, consumers have donated more than 2 million used wireless phones to the campaign, with the majority donated to help support people affected by domestic violence.
The grants were made to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Network to End Domestic Violence. These organizations will use the funds to provide services to families who are experiencing abuse.
