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Donating cell phones:
Starting a cell phone donation program:
Why should I recycle my cell phone?
Electronic waste is the most quickly growing waste concern worldwide.
The average life span of a cell phone is only eighteen months. On
average 130 million cell phones are retired annually in the U.S. alone.
Therefore, cell phone recycling is imperative. Nationwide, it is
estimated that only 1% of retired cell phones are recycled or reused.
The remainder litter closets, drawers, and unfortunately landfills.
Cell phone recycling has even become a requirement in some states and
counties. California has enacted legislation that requires retailers to
accept obsolete and retired wireless phones from consumers at no
charge. In addition, New York also has legislation that requires
wireless telephone service suppliers to accept obsolete and retired
cell phones at no charge to the consumer.
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What if I don't have the charger and other accessories for my
cell phone?
You can still send in your wireless phone alone and it will help raise funds
for the program you are working with. Keep battery attached to phone. If battery is not attached to phone, place tape over terminal ends.
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What if my phone doesn't work?
The collected cell phones need not be in working order. We recycle cell phones that cannot be refurbished, and dispose of them according to the appropriate EPA regulations.
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What happens to donated cell phones with no resale
value?
If the cell phone or its parts have no resale value, they will be recycled in an environmentally sound manner. Read our Environmental Statement for recycling cell phones.
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Who will handle refurbishment, sales and
recycling efforts?
All cell phones will be shipped to ReCellular, the fulfillment partner. ReCellular
handles the sorting, refurbishment, sales and disposal of all the cell phones
collected. In addition, ReCellular will be responsible for managing the
database of all the phones received.
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How
does ReCellular safeguard against selling its products to potentially
hostile organizations and individuals such as terrorists?
ReCellular only conducts business with organizations and individuals
who comply with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
regulations. ReCellular’s entire customer database is automatically
screened every 3 seconds, cross-referencing customer records with the
OFAC list and other various government watch lists to check for
organizations and individuals classified as hostile to the United
States.
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How does ReCellular comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations?
As an ISO 14001:2004 registered company, ReCellular is required to
review all applicable environmental laws, regulations, and other
requirements to which we subscribe on an annual basis. An environmental
law that applies to ReCellular is the management of cellular phone
batteries. Cellular phone batteries are considered a universal waste.
Universal wastes are regulated by the Department of Environmental
Quality (DEQ) of Michigan. Due to the large volume of batteries
ReCellular receives, ReCellular is considered a large quantity handler
of universal waste. You may access universal waste requirements, to
which ReCellular must comply, at the following DEQ website: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ead-tas-univwaste.pdf
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Does ReCellular export end-of-life cellular phones to developing countries?
No. ReCellular is dedicated to the proper management of obsolete
cellular phones, batteries, and accessories. It is ReCellular policy
that cellular phones received through cell phone donation programs
will only be sold in a tested functional condition. End-of-life
electronic products are sent downstream to ReCellular’s approved
recycling partner. All end-of-life electronic products MUST be managed
and sent to a qualified recycler located in a developed OECD country.
The recycling vendor that manages our scrap electronics is not
permitted to send any material for processing in a NON-OECD country. To
learn more about OECD countries please visit: http://www.oecd.org.
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How does ReCellular evaluate downstream recycling facilities?
All partners that ReCellular utilizes to recycle cell phones are carefully and
extensively evaluated to ensure environmental compliance. Recycling
facilities interested in accepting non-functional cell phones and
batteries must first complete an Environmental Risk Evaluation form
provided by ReCellular. This is an extensive document that questions
recycling vendor’s processes and procedures. All of the Environmental
Risk Evaluation forms submitted are diligently reviewed by ReCellular’s
internal environmental staff.
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Is my organization eligible to start a cell phone donation program?
Any organization, company or individual is eligible to start a cell phone donation program when 100% of the proceeds from donating cell phones goes to a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
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How can my organization start a cell phone donation program?
You can start a cell phone donation program by reviewing each available program, and determining which is best suited for your organization. You can also spread the message in your community about donating cell phones just as you would for other fundraisers. You can use this as your sole method of raising funds or make it a part of an existing fundraising plan.
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What are cell phone donation programs?
Our cell phone donation programs are a completely new approach to fundraising. These programs allow your organization to capitalize on the untapped value of the hundreds of millions of used cell phones lying idle in America's closets and drawers. These cell phones are just waiting to be reprogrammed, refurbished or recycled to help benefit your community. By donating cell phones, your organization earns dollars. Here's how it works: You collect used cell phones and we'll send you a check to help support your organization's revenue.
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Why should my company participate and recycle cell phones?
This is an easy way for your organization to fund philanthropic efforts. This
program is simple to implement and requires no investment. It also enhances
your company's image as a charitable and environmentally responsible
organization.
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Who or what will benefit from the donation of these cell phones?
Cell phones donated will generate funds to benefit the non-profit organization of
your choice. This is a great opportunity to augment your support for charities.
By participating in one of these programs, you can even extend the reach of
your community relations dollars.
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How long should we conduct our cell phone donation program effort?
The duration of your cell phone donation program effort is up to you. Of course the more
cell phones you collect, the more funds you will generate for charity. We
recommend a cell phone donation program last at least 90 days.
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Can we donate any and all cell phones?
Yes, please accept any hand-carried (not vehicle-installed) cellular, battery
and charger if available. No matter the size, look or condition, all wireless
phones are accepted. Smaller, newer cell phones generate the most funds.
Mobile-installed telephones (including so-called "bag phones"), two-way radios,
pagers, walkie-talkies, etc. are not accepted. Cordless phones meant for home
use are not acceptable. Older phones that can not be salvaged will be scrapped
and disposed of according to appropriate EPA regulations.
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How much is each used cell phone worth?
Current cell phone models are most in demand and can yield $10.00 or more per phone
for your charity. Second tier, older cell phones will typically generate between
$1.00 and $3.00 for your charity. And, although we will recycle the obsolete
models, they will yield no funding for your charity. If the cell phones you collect
are typical of those we have received in other cell phone donation program efforts, you might
conservatively target to get $1.00 per phone on average for your charity, but
it all depends on the mix of cell phones you collect.
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Does my organization have to worry about being charged for the
airtime if the phones are refurbished?
No. When the phones are refurbished, they are completely cleared and
reprogrammed. Donors should, however, be reminded to deactivate their wireless
service before donating their cell phone(s).
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How can these cell phone donation programs help to drive store traffic?
An in-store cell phone donation program can help to bring people into your retail stores. In
turn, the consumer feels good about your company and the charity you are
supporting. The consumer may be more apt to make a purchase while dropping off
their cell phone. By adding marketing initiatives to your promotions, you may
increase revenues and purchases.
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How will you track the number of cell phones collected?
All wireless phones will be hand counted and entered into a database by ReCellular, Inc. A report of donations
will be distributed periodically. We recommend that you put the amount of
wireless phones inside each box.
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How do I ship my cell phones?
Shipping will be free with a cell phone donation of 100 or more phones. Keep battery attached to phone. If battery is not attached to phone, place tape over terminal ends.When you are
ready to ship, simply contact your programs logistics coordinator to make
shipping arrangements. As part of the customized logistics plan, the shipping
will be free and completely flexible to your schedule. Please note: Shipments
sent C.O.D. will not be accepted.
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Are tax receipts available for donating cell phones?
Yes. Donors may download a copy of the tax receipt by selecting the appropriate
program.
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