UK - Monetary incentive not to buy

‘If everyone in the UK who owns a mobile delayed its replacement by a year, it would equate to 187,000 cars being removed from the road annually.’

That’s O2’s estimate of how much CO2 is produced during the manufacturing of the UK’s mobile phones. So in order to do its bit for the environment, O2 is now offering a £95 cash back offer to any new or existing customers who choose to keep their existing phone rather than opting for a new handset.

US - Solution for waste

65,000 tons of cell phones are discarded every year. Instead of giving money to those who don’t buy the latest gadget, a few states are implementing cell phone recycling programs at retailer locations. California and New York already have legislation in place. Vermont and Maine are working similar measures through.

Want to do your part regardless if your State makes cell phone recycling mandatory? Check out these sites:

• The Wireless Foundation CALL TO PROTECT – This national non-profit program established by CTIA generates funds to provide phones, with matching airtime, to domestic violence agencies as well as grants to national organizations working to prevent domestic violence.

• The Body Shop – This personal care products retailer began offering its “National Cell Phone Collection Program” in September 2002 at all Body Shop stores. Proceeds are donated to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

• The Charitable Recycling Program - Provides a fundraising program for non-profit organizations and municipalities, or donats proceeds to a charity of your choice.

• CollectiveGood – CollectiveGood collects cell phones to benefit charities specified at its website through the mail (mailing costs may be covered by selected charity) and through collections organized by local partners (including Staples retail stores).

• ECO-CELL – ECO-CELL partners with conservation and public organizations to set up profitable local collection programs.

• GRC Wireless Recycling – Through its “Recycling Alliance” and “Shelter Alliance” programs, GRC Wireless offers cell phone fundraising and recycling programs for schools, non-profits, religious organizations, community groups,, municipal recyclers, shelters, and social service groups. Donations of used cell phones are accepted from businesses and consumers.

• Rechargeable Battery Recycling Program (RBRC) – RBRC accepts cell phones for recycling through its rechargeable battery collection program. RBRC collection boxes are currently available at over 150 retail locations throughout Maine ; RBRC provides free collection boxes and shipping to municipalities.

• ReCellular – ReCellular offers cell phone collection and recycling program support to all kinds of organizations, including big box retailers, to help these organizations raise funds for charitable and environmental programs.

Sources: Pocket Picks, Maine.gov, Cellular News, and Electronics Supply & Manufacturing

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 at 11:21 am and is filed under Cell Phones, Environment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.