Who doesn’t have at least one old cell phone sitting in a drawer or packed away in a box somewhere? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the 200 million wireless subscribers in the United States each have 2.5 cell phones sitting around, discarded, but not actually thrown away. The EPA also estimates that only 10 percent of cell phones are recycled. According to a story in The New York Times Magazine, Americans threw away nearly three million tons of electronics in 2006, a good portion of which was cell phones. Once they’re in a landfill, cell phones release toxins into the ground, like mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium. So while a cell phone is better off sitting unused in a drawer than thrown in a landfill, the best option for that old phone is to recycle it. But how? The major wireless carriers make it easy for you.
AT&T
AT&T Reuse & Recycle is the company’s program for recycling wireless phones, smartphones, batteries, and accessories. It allows consumers to recycle their old cell phones, regardless of manufacturer or carrier. The company then properly disposes of the phone, recycling the parts that can be recycled, all in compliance with EPA standards and guidelines.
You can also help AT&T support Cell Phones for Soldiers. This programs uses the proceeds from recycled cell phones to provide prepaid phone cards for active duty military members so they can stay in touch with family while they’re deployed or stationed overseas. The program has so far raised more than $1 million, and given out more than 75,000 phone cards to military members overseas. This way, you’re not only doing something positive for the environment, you’re also supporting troops who are working so far from home.
To participate in AT&T’s Reuse & Recycle program, simply take your old cell phone to any AT&T company-owned retail store. You can also print a postage-paid label on their site to mail it in. If you don’t have a printer, you can request a postage-paid envelope from the company.
Verizon
Verizon’s recycling program supports an effort called HopeLine. It’s a program that collects used cell phones and, depending on the condition and age of the phone, either recycles or refurbishes them. Refurbished phones are resold, and the proceeds go to providing wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence. Some proceeds also go to funding domestic violence prevention programs and shelters across the United States.
The company also collects used batteries for recycling. Cell phone batteries are the source of the toxic materials that leach into the ground through landfills. Verizon started its recycling efforts in 2001, and since then, more than one million phones and 170,000 pounds of cell phone batteries have been recycled or properly disposed of.
All Verizon stores will accept old cell phones for recycling. You may also download a postage-paid label from their site to mail your phone or battery.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile’s Handset Recycling Program accepts cell phones for recycling, whether they’re in working condition or not. They accept all models and brands of phones, batteries, PDAs, and accessories. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the recycling program go toward supporting T-Mobile Huddle Up.
Huddle Up is an urban community outreach program with the goal of connecting kids, especially those from single parent families, with people and programs that will have a positive effect on them. It provides after-school programs that give kids a safe, encouraging environment to go to after school.
To recycle your phone or other devices with T-Mobile, take the items to any T-Mobile retail store, or print a pre-paid postage label from their site.
Sprint
Sprint makes it a goal to reuse 90% of the phone they collect through their recycling programs. Any devices that cannot be reused are recycled. Sprint’s recycling program is split into two options—Sprint Buyback, and Sprint Project Connect.
Sprint Buyback gives customers an account credit of up to $50 per phone for eligible phones. This program is only for customers with valid Sprint/Nextel accounts. Check the site to see if your phone is on the eligible list. If it’s not, you can still recycle it through Sprint Project Connect.
Sprint Project Connect accepts wireless phones, batteries, accessories, and data cards for recycling, regardless of make or model, carrier, or condition. Net proceeds from recycling go toward funding and promoting Internet safety resources for kids, parents, and educators.
To recycle a phone or other device through either of these programs, pick up a free, postage-paid envelope at any Sprint store, or print a pre-paid shipping label from their site.
Before you recycle your cell phone with any carrier or recycling/reuse program, be sure to remove all your personal data. Directions for how to do this can be found in your phone’s instruction manual. If you’re unable to locate your manual, use this free data eraser.
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Michelle – Thank you for spreading the word. As you noted, cell phone recycling rates in the U.S. really need a boost. One of the primary reasons for such low participation is lack of awareness. The majority of Americans are unaware that their cell phones can be effectivley reused and recycled. Articles like this shine a sorely needed light on the issue. Another tool that I encourage readers to consider is a short video that Sprint recently produced with Outpost Worldwide. Click here to view online. In under two minutes it frames the issue, illustrates how phones can reused and recycled, and shows how easy it is to take action. Forwarding a link of this video to friends and family would be a great way to help raise awareness. Keep up the good work!
Darren Beck
Sprint Corp Social Responsibility
Twitter @DarrenBeck
Thank you for the additional information, Darren. I think the fact that you would take the time to comment says a lot about Sprint’s commitment to being environmentally responsible. I’m happy to contribute even a little bit to raising awareness for such an important issue. We’ve covered cell phone recycling before, but I think it’s something that bears reminding every so often. We’ll be on the lookout for new programs and initiatives from Sprint, and the other carriers. You keep up the good work!