Put Old Cell Phones to Good Use

For those, who are clueless about what to do with their old cell phones, the Wireless Association has provided an eye-opener in the form of a press release. The release aims at encouraging the consumers to put their cell phones to good use, when they discard them for new ones.

Recognizing its role in helping reduce the carbon footprint, the U.S., the wireless industry urged consumers that when they get a new cell phone or wireless device, instead of letting it clutter up drawer space, put it to good use by recycling it. Accordingly, many members of CTIA (News - Alert) - The Wireless Association have developed or supported numerous programs promoting the recycling of cell phones and other wireless devices.

According to a MyWireless.org (News - Alert) survey conducted in March 2011, more than 84 percent of people were aware that their cell phones or wireless devices were recyclable.   More than 68 percent were aware that their wireless accessories were recyclable, but only about 54 percent of them had donated or recycled an old device or accessory.

An Environmental Protection Agency estimate may help consumers take the right decision in this direction: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling one million cell phones helps save enough energy to power more than 185 U.S.   households with electricity for a year.  

In addition to this, recycling of wireless devices can offer several other environmental benefits.

Recycling helps keep usable materials out of landfills. 

Wireless devices are made up of precious metals such as copper and plastics. These require energy to mine and manufacture.   It is possible to conserve these metals by the way of recycling and can be used later for producing new products.  

Metals recovered in the recycling process -- such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, copper, tin and zinc – can be used by industries such as automotive, electronics, jewelry and plating.  

The plastics recovered through recycling can be again recycled into plastic components for new electronic devices or other plastic products, including as garden furniture, license plate frames, non-food containers and replacement automotive parts.  

Rechargeable batteries can be recycled into other rechargeable battery products.

Before you recycle your device, erase your personal information, the Wireless Association advised in the release.  CTIA said that the consumers should preserve the contacts, photos, texts or other important data before giving away the cellphone for recycling.   In doing so, the consumer should use device-specific instructions. 

In the next step, the consumer should terminate the device's wireless service by contacting the provider.   It is also important to remove the SIM card from GSM or 4G devices.   In case of any confusion, the user should contact the service provider.

The interested consumers can opt from a variety of recycling options, from carrier- and manufacturer-sponsored initiatives to third party organizations, such as drop-off or mail back programs, websites and charity drives.   In addition, all of CTIA's carrier members accept any device or accessory at their stores, regardless of which carrier provided the service.

Interested users are invited to visit www.Gowirelessgogreen.org for a full listing of recycling programs, and to learn more about CTIA's green initiatives.

After being alerted by a consumer about a scam e-mail that is using CTIA-The Wireless Association's name and logo, CTIA-The Wireless Association earlier warned consumers about Scam E-Mail. The association urged the consumers to open the E-mail of they receive an email with CTIA’s name and logo saying you ‘won a cell phone.’ The association pointed out that message may change, but the consumers must practice precaution for all such E-mails.

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