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Project Redial Wants Your Old Cell Phones |
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Written by Wire Services
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Tuesday, 11 April 2006 |
 Anyone who has upgraded to a new cell phone has likely grappled with the question: What to do with the old one. Stick it in a drawer? Toss it in the trash can? The Canadian Diabetes Association in collaboration with PhoneBack, Canada has created Project Redial(TM) to promote the recovery, recycling and reuse of mobile, wireless and cell phone handsets.
To kick off the program, the Canadian Diabetes Association is holding a spring drive this April (Earth Month) to collect 20,000 cell phones from across Canada. If this many phones were placed end on end, it would be equivalent to over 3 times the length of the Seal Island Bridge(1). The goal for Nova Scotia is to collect approximately 1,500 of this total. The goals for New Brunswick and Newfoundland is to collect 500 phones and the goal for PEI is to collect approximately 200 phones.
Individuals can donate their used cell phones by simply dropping them off at any Canadian Diabetes Association office, participating Value Village stores or through the Association's Clothesline program. Residents can include used cell phone(s) when donating other items such as clothing and household goods through the Clothesline program by calling 1-800-505-5525 and arranging for a free pick-up.
Collected cell phones are then refurbished or remanufactured and sent to developing and emerging countries. The phones may also be provided (at no cost) to Canadians in situations where there is an economic necessity for both safety and communications. Cell phones may also be supplied (again at no cost) to those awaiting organ transplants as a means of constant communication. All proceeds from the collected phones are used by the Canadian Diabetes Association to fund diabetes research, education, service and advocacy.
"Project Redial offers Canadians the opportunity to help divert waste from our over-burdened landfills, while allowing the Association to retain its commitment of raising funds to improve the lives of those affected by diabetes. What better time to kick off the program than during April's Earth Month," says Carol Genter, Cape Breton Operations Manager, Canadian Diabetes Association.
On average, cell phones are used for only 18 months before being replaced, even though most are still in good working order. According to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, this is even more astounding as there are over 14.5 million cell phone users in Canada. Most old cell phones are stored away in drawers or closets before eventually entering the municipal waste stream, where their disposal, whether by incineration or landfill, will ultimately be an increasing burden for local governments across Canada.
A retired cell phone, which can be reused, refurbished and/or remanufactured, can offer a suitable and affordable solution for residents in many countries around the world. In many emerging and developing countries, wireless communication is the only available cost-effective technology. Landline networks are often not in place and are too expensive or too difficult to install. New cell phones are normally sold at full retail value (without the rebates or subsidies we see here in Canada) and the average per capita income is very low. |
