According to the CollectiveGood website as of 2007, there are more than 750 million mobile phones waiting to be recycled in the US; either in drawers, or already in the waste system. Another 150+million or so will be added this year and even more the next year. I personally have two cell phones that are no longer in use that I want to dispose of.
Staples and the CollectiveGood organization have teamed up to make recycling electronic gadgets very easy.
CollectiveGood and Staples now offer a nationwide Mobile Devices Recycling program in all Staples stores that makes it easy for customers to recycle their used cell phones, PDAs, pagers and rechargeable batteries. Customers can recycle these devices by simply dropping dropping them off while they shop at their local Staples store. A large portion of the proceeds generated from recycling the mobile electronic devices will be donated to the Sierra Club, America's largest grassgroots enviornmental organization to fund environmental education and conservation programs.Donating you used cell phone to the CollectiveGood so that it can be recycled benefits everyone. When you recycle your old cell phone you're keeping toxic chemicals out of the landfills where they can pollute the ground and water source. As stated above part of the proceeds from recycled electronic equipment helps benefit the Sierra Club but these phones are also put to use in developing countries where people can't afford to buy the latest models.
If you'd like to donate your phone it can be dropped off at any nationwide Staples store. To find the nearest Staple store visit this link. If for some reason you can't make it to a Staples store the CollectiveGood also provides a free USPS label that you can use to mail in your cell phone to be recycled. With such convenient drop off locations and access to a free shipping label there is no need for us to clutter the landfill with our used electronics that are often times in good working condition.
Alternatives:
recycleforbreastcancer.com This program benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
