A poll conducted by Wireless Week found that 62% of their readers store their old phones in drawers instead of recycling them. According to an article in Recycling Today, less than 1% of cellular phones are recycled, from the 100 million that will be discarded this year alone. INFORM Inc. estimates that 130 million cellular phones will be discarded each year by 2005. The laws of November 2003 surrounding cellular phone portability (the ability to retain your number while swapping carriers), coupled with the tsunami of advertising and sales promotion from major wireless carriers, forecast a mass exodus of wireless hardware. Simply put, the recycling of handsets and batteries has become more than a fad – it is a necessity. So how do you make money with recycling?

Creating a permanent collection point in your store at point-of-sale will increase awareness, stewardship, and foot traffic. The obvious environmental benefits create a conscientious, socially responsible brand identity. As wireless technology improves, Dealers have the opportunity to create permanent collection points for recycling, and can become the hub of the customer’s entire wireless experience (buy a new phone, recycle an old one, and generate good will by donating the proceeds to a charity of your choice). The average life of a wireless phone is less than one year, and as technology evolves and phones are discarded at a quicker rate, permanent collection points for cellular phone recycling become more and more vital for consumers & retailers.

RecycleFirst provides turnkey cell phone recycling programs to wireless dealers across the United States at no cost. All recycle bins, shipping, and signage are provided, and all cellular phone models and accessories are accepted. A flat fee per unit received is paid to the dealer or charity on behalf of the dealer. RecycleFirst has a large network of Charities to choose from, should the dealer want to donate the proceeds and create good will. RecycleFirst does all the work, and establishes the relationship and payment of the proceeds to the Charity on the dealer’s behalf.

All the phones that are collected by RecycleFirst are demanufactured at an ISO-14001 certified facility. Here, the condition of the phone is evaluated. Currently, 70% of cellular phones are able to be refurbished, then resold outside the American market. However, 30% of cellular phones collected are unable to be refurbished. These phones are broken down to their finite components. The metals are smelted to produce a stainless steel alloy used by virtually all commercial steel manufacturers. The plastic handsets are recycled for products such as 100% recycled plastic lumber, used in building bridges as well as outdoor furniture.

RecycleFirst aims to educate the public concerning the harm that cell phones can cause
to the environment if they continue to be discarded into landfills. As a wireless dealer, you can join in the effort, while demonstrating your commitment to managing the entire life cycle of a cell phone. A collection point in your dealership will illustrate a healthy balance between technology and the environmental stewardship.

For more information on how to implement a free cellular phone recycling program in your dealership contact TracPoint Wireless