FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 23, 2004
CONTACT: Dee Ann Miller, (850) 245-2112

DEP Encourages Floridians to Recycle Cell Phones

-- Recycling electronics prevents pollution, safeguards environment --

TALLAHASSEE – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Floridians to recycle old or unwanted cell phones. Recycling electronics helps protect the environment from heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, which can impact groundwater – the source of 90 percent of Florida’s drinking water.

cell phones “Disposing of unwanted electronics responsibly prevents pollution, promotes reuse and extends the life of existing landfills,” said DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs Allan Bedwell. “That is why the increase in the availability and convenience of recycling opportunities is so significant.”

New cell phones and other electronics will be popular presents this holiday season, making recycling those that were replaced especially important. Look for local announcements about recycling events after the holidays or call your county recycling coordinator. Since 1998, the Department has awarded more than $2 million in grants to 23 Florida counties to expand local household hazardous waste programs and include the collection and recycling of electronic equipment, including cell phones, televisions and computers.

“Citizens must make recycling choices every day,” said Bedwell. “The Department has taken a lead by placing cell phone recycling bins in its office buildings and we encourage other businesses to provide the same recycling opportunities for their employees.”

In addition to local household hazardous waste programs, many service providers and retail stores offer cell phone recycling programs that refurbish and remarket cell phones.

· This year, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), which has been collecting and recycling rechargeable batteries throughout the U.S. and Canada since 1994, announced it would also collect cell phones at many of its battery collection locations. There are more than 1,500 such locations in Florida which can be found by calling 1-877-2-RECYCLE or by visiting www.call2recycle.org.

The Ocala-based RMS Communications Group, the nation’s second largest cell phone recycler, offers cell phone recycling at www.cellforcash.com. Depending on the model and cell phone resale market demand, CellForCash buys old and discarded cell phones.
Another Miami-based company, GRC Wireless Recycling collects cellular phones from charities, primarily domestic violence organizations, the YMCA and the Salvation Army, and refurbishes or recycles them. Visit their web site at www.grcrecycling.com to see how your charity can earn money recycling old cell phones.
Contact your carrier – they may offer a cell phone recycling program and a tax credit for recycling cell phones through their program.
Drop off your old cell phone at participating retailers, such as Radio Shack, Best Buy and Staples, or find a drop off location at www.wirelessrecycling.com.
To find your nearest community recycling location, visit www.earth911.org or call 1-800-CLEANUP.

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004-358

Resources for: Citizens Educators Businesses Government Information Calendar Contacts News Newsletters Organizational Chart Publications & Reports Unless indicated, documents on this Web site are Adobe Acrobat files, and require the free reader software.	Press Office FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 23, 2004 CONTACT: Dee Ann Miller, (850) 245-2112 DEP Encourages Floridians to Recycle Cell Phones -- Recycling electronics prevents pollution, safeguards environment -- TALLAHASSEE – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Floridians to recycle old or unwanted cell phones. Recycling electronics helps protect the environment from heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, which can impact groundwater – the source of 90 percent of Florida’s drinking water. “Disposing of unwanted electronics responsibly prevents pollution, promotes reuse and extends the life of existing landfills,” said DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs Allan Bedwell. “That is why the increase in the availability and convenience of recycling opportunities is so significant.” New cell phones and other electronics will be popular presents this holiday season, making recycling those that were replaced especially important. Look for local announcements about recycling events after the holidays or call your county recycling coordinator. Since 1998, the Department has awarded more than $2 million in grants to 23 Florida counties to expand local household hazardous waste programs and include the collection and recycling of electronic equipment, including cell phones, televisions and computers. “Citizens must make recycling choices every day,” said Bedwell. “The Department has taken a lead by placing cell phone recycling bins in its office buildings and we encourage other businesses to provide the same recycling opportunities for their employees.” In addition to local household hazardous waste programs, many service providers and retail stores offer cell phone recycling programs that refurbish and remarket cell phones. · This year, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), which has been collecting and recycling rechargeable batteries throughout the U.S. and Canada since 1994, announced it would also collect cell phones at many of its battery collection locations. There are more than 1,500 such locations in Florida which can be found by calling 1-877-2-RECYCLE or by visiting www.call2recycle.org. The Ocala-based RMS Communications Group, the nation’s second largest cell phone recycler, offers cell phone recycling at www.cellforcash.com. Depending on the model and cell phone resale market demand, CellForCash buys old and discarded cell phones. Another Miami-based company, GRC Wireless Recycling collects cellular phones from charities, primarily domestic violence organizations, the YMCA and the Salvation Army, and refurbishes or recycles them. Visit their web site at www.grcrecycling.com to see how your charity can earn money recycling old cell phones. Contact your carrier – they may offer a cell phone recycling program and a tax credit for recycling cell phones through their program. Drop off your old cell phone at participating retailers, such as Radio Shack, Best Buy and Staples, or find a drop off location at www.wirelessrecycling.com. To find your nearest community recycling location, visit www.earth911.org or call 1-800-CLEANUP. --30-- 004-358 Last updated: December 23, 2004
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