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RWM Home > Educational and Informational Resources > Recycling > Computer Recycling in Maine > Cell Phone Recycling Programs

Cell Phone Recycling Programs

Description of Cell Phone Recycling Programs Available to Maine Consumers

 All businesses that sell cell phones in Maine offer free cell phone take bask at their retail locations. Additionally, there are national programs that offer Maine residents other opportunities to recycle their cell phones. Many of these programs can help you raise money for your favorite charity or non-profit organization.

Through The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA), the following member companies have established a program called “Wireless – the New Recyclable” to promote the recycling of cell phones through public outreach on its member companies' cell phone recycling programs. These companies collect cell phones at all their retail locations; some also provide collection through free shipping. In Maine , these include:

  • Motorola's “Race to Recycle” - This program raises funds for accredited K-12 schools. Motorola provides prepaid shipping labels through its web site to schools that want to participate and to anyone who wants to donate to this program.
  • Sprint Project Connect – Donated wireless phones are recycled or sold, with a portion of the net proceeds benefiting K-12 education programs. Sprint makes postage-paid mailing labels available over the internet.
  • T Mobile – “T-Mobile Huddle Up” program provides funding and other support to support high quality afterschool programs in urban areas.
  • Verizon – Verizon's HopeLine© program collects no-longer-used cell phones from any service provider; it donates phones and airtime to domestic violence victims as well as funding to domestic violence shelters and prevention programs.
  • The Wireless Foundation CALL TO PROTECT – This national non-profit program established by CTIA generates funds to provide phones, with matching airtime, to domestic violence agencies as well as grants to national organizations working to prevent domestic violence.

Cell phone recycling programs are also offered by companies that are not handset manufacturers or wireless service providers. Those accessible to Maine residents include:

  • 911 Cell Phone Bank - The 911 Cell Phone Bank is a non-profit initiative that provides an ongoing and readily available source of 911 cell phones and funds to meet unexpected and urgent needs of law enforcement and victim services agencies. Many agencies in Maine participate or are recipients, including Maine County Sheriff’s Offices in Auburn, Augusta, Oxford and Dover-Foxcroft, the Battered Women’s Project in Presque Isle, The Next Step in Ellsworth, Lincoln Co. Triad in Boothbay Harbor, Bangor Area Homeless Shelter in Bangor, NAPA of Greenville, York Co. Triad in Kennebunk and the York SALT Council in York.
  • The Body Shop – This personal care products retailer began offering its “National Cell Phone Collection Program” in September 2002 at all Body Shop stores. Proceeds are donated to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
  • The Charitable Recycling Program - Provides a fundraising program for non-profit organizations and municipalities, or donats proceeds to a charity of your choice.
  • CollectiveGood – CollectiveGood collects cell phones to benefit charities specified at its website through the mail (mailing costs may be covered by selected charity) and through collections organized by local partners (including Staples retail stores).
  • ECO-CELL – ECO-CELL partners with conservation and public organizations to set up profitable local collection programs.
  • GRC Wireless Recycling – Through its “Recycling Alliance” and “Shelter Alliance” programs, GRC Wireless offers cell phone fundraising and recycling programs for schools, non-profits, religious organizations, community groups,, municipal recyclers, shelters, and social service groups. Donations of used cell phones are accepted from businesses and consumers.
  • OM Computer Recycling - OM Computer Recycling offers free recycling of cell phones and other small electronics, including laptops. They provide free shipping.
  • Rechargeable Battery Recycling Program (RBRC) – RBRC accepts cell phones for recycling through its rechargeable battery collection program. RBRC collection boxes are currently available at over 150 retail locations throughout Maine ; RBRC provides free collection boxes and shipping to municipalities.
  • ReCellular – ReCellular offers cell phone collection and recycling program support to all kinds of organizations, including big box retailers, to help these organizations raise funds for charitable and environmental programs.
  • Earth Share, Walmart.com and ReCellular are working together to keep cell phones out of landfills - a postage paid return label can be found here:  http://i.walmart.com/i/rb/4017.pdf
  • Recycle First offers consumers payment for cell phones to be recycled.