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What are you doing with your old cell phone?13 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 4 times the height of the CN Tower(1). The goal for Ontario is to collect approximately 10,500 of this total.
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(R) program. Residents can include used cell phone(s) when donating other items such as clothing and household goods through the Clothesline(R) 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 Jason Reid, Peel 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(2). 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.
About PhoneBack, Canada
PhoneBack, Canada provides used mobile phone collection, recovery and recycling programs, integrated with fundraising opportunities for charities, community groups and local initiative activities. To contact PhoneBack, Canada call 905-830-9607 or visit www.charitablerecycling.ca.
About the Canadian Diabetes Association
More than two million Canadians have diabetes and this number is expected to increase dramatically as the population ages. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being age 40 and over, being related to a person with diabetes, being of Aboriginal, Hispanic, South Asian, Asian or African descent, and being overweight or obese.
The Canadian Diabetes Association works to prevent diabetes and improve the quality of life for those affected, through research, education, service and advocacy. With a presence in more than 150 communities, the Canadian Diabetes Association's strong network of assistance includes volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals and partners. The Canadian Diabetes Association - Know who to turn to.
To learn more or become a Project Redial(TM) partner, please call 1-800-505-5525. Information is also available at www.diabetes.ca/projectredial. For a list of Canadian Diabetes Association locations, visit www.diabetes.ca.
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(1) Wikipedia(R) Online encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org, viewed
January 2006. (Based on an estimated average size of 4.5" per phone
(not including the antenna).)
(2) Bette K. Fishbein, "Waste in the Wireless World: The Challenge of
Cell Phones," INFORM Inc., May 2002.
For further information: Whitney Binns, Marketing & Communications Officer, Canadian Diabetes Association, Tel: (416) 408-7071, whitney.binns@diabetes.ca, www.diabetes.ca
Source: newswire
All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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