Now Reading
Recycling and Donating Old Cell Phones Made Easy Thanks to New Partnership of Nonprofits With the Wireless Alliance
Recycling and Donating Old Cell Phones Made Easy Thanks to New Partnership of Nonprofits With the Wireless Alliance
Published 02-21-07
Submitted by Wireless Alliance, The
BOULDER, CO. "“ February 21, 2007 - Recycling and donating your old, used cell phone is easier than ever before, thanks to a unique partnership that was announced today. Community Computer Connection, which refurbishes and donates computers to underserved communities and schools in Colorado, and Providers’ Resource Clearinghouse, a nonprofit that donates office supplies and furniture to community-based organizations, have partnered with The Wireless Alliance, a Boulder-based organization that collects, refurbishes and recycles used cell phone equipment to encourage the recycling of old cell phones and to save Colorado’s environment from the devastating impact of improperly disposed electronic equipment.
Any individual or organization looking to recycle a cell phone, battery or charger can now request a specially marked drop-off collection box or make an on-line donation at www.thewirelessalliance.com, making cell phone recycling easy and convenient. For each cell phone collected, Community Computer Connection and Providers’ Resource Clearinghouse will receive funds from The Wireless Alliance that will be used to enhance their operations, including purchasing spare parts for computer refurbishment, truck repairs and warehouse utilities.
"It is estimated that about 150 million cell phones will be discarded this year, all of which are almost entirely recyclable" says Jared Polis, founder and president of the Jared Polis Foundation, which operates one of the partnering organizations, Community Computer Connection. "End-of-life electronics contain lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and other hazardous waste that is released when we dump old computers in landfills. Refurbishing and recycling old electronic equipment is essential for protecting Colorado’s environment."
"The Wireless Alliance has a "zero waste" policy that ensures all unused cell phone materials are recycled and waste is minimized according to national and state regulations," said Jon Newman, Vice President of The Wireless Alliance. "We’re honored to be the cell phone recycling partner for these organizations and are excited to make their recycling programs a success."
Since 2001, The Wireless Alliance has reclaimed over 500 tons of wireless cellular equipment from landfills. During the same period, Community Computer Connection has refurbished and donated more than 13,000 computers, saving Colorado’s landfills from 400 tons of materials and 30 tons of lead. Providers’ Resource Clearinghouse redistributes over 80 tons of reused materials annually.
"This innovative partnership capitalizes on our shared interest in extending the life of electronics and our common goal of protecting the environment," says Polis. "Now, any individual, organization or business in Colorado that wants to put old computers, office supplies, furniture or cell phones in good use will be fully served from start to finish by making one call. The synergy of this collaboration with The Wireless Alliance will strengthen our effort to close the digital divide for low-income students and families and better serve youth and schools in Colorado’s underserved communities."
"We are very excited to help promote the safe disposal of old cell phones and invite the public to join us in improving environmental awareness and social responsibility," says Heather Dolan, executive director of the Providers’ Resource Clearinghouse. "Cell phone recycling drop-off boxes, provided free of charge by The Wireless Alliance, can be placed in office buildings, shops, malls, or anywhere else with people traffic. Individuals also have the option of making an easy, on-line cell phone donation through the websites of the Jared Polis Foundation and Providers’ Resource Clearinghouse."
To learn more about Community Computer Connection visit www.jaredpolisfoundation.org
For additional Providers’ Resource Clearinghouse information visit www.prccolorado.org
To make a donation, please call (303) 962-2270.
About The Wireless Alliance
About the Community Computer Connection
Community Computer Connection, a program of the Jared Polis Foundation since July 2001, provides access to technology and creates educational opportunities for thousands of disadvantaged young people throughout the state of Colorado. The Community Computer Connection team refurbishes computers that are donated from corporations and individuals and provides them for free to qualified nonprofit organizations and schools throughout Colorado. In addition to enhancing access to technology, the environmental impact of computer refurbishing is enormous because it prevents hundreds of tons of computers from being dumped into landfills. Community Computer Connection has more than 600 corporate and individual donors, including Quest, Coors Brewing Company, and DIRECTV. For more information call us at (303) 962-2270 or visit us at www.jaredpolisfoundation.org.
About Providers’ Resource Clearinghouse
Providers' Resource Clearinghouse (PRC) was opened in 1993 by a group of community leaders from the business, faith and nonprofit sectors who wanted to bridge the gap between struggling human-service providers and businesses seeking to serve the community through in-kind giving. Since that time, Providers' Resource Clearinghouse (PRC), a 501(c)(3) organization, has refurbished and redistributed more then $22 million dollars worth of goods and supplies to over 1,200 community agencies throughout the Denver metro area. For more information call us at (303) 962-2270 or visit us at www.prccolorado.org.
Wireless Alliance, The
Wireless Alliance, The
The Wireless Alliance is a cellular phone recycling company and your source for new and used cellular equipment. We constantly strive to bring integrity, reliability, and great customer service to the wireless phone recycling industry. The Wireless Alliance works with manufacturers, wireless carriers, recyclers and non-profit organizations to collect, resell and recycle cellular equipment. All equipment is repurposed in a zero waste, environmentally-conscious manner. Since 2001, The Wireless Alliance has reclaimed over 500 tons of wireless equipment from landfills, contributing to a cleaner and safer environment.
More from Wireless Alliance, The
