10531 Timberwood Circle, Suite D, Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 423-5031 or (888) 326-3357
www.eco-cell.org
PROGRAM SUMMARY
* The fund-raising organization does not have to buy, sell, or spend money. The collection organization will be provided with a "turn-key" program at no
cost.
* ECO-CELL pays the fund-raising organization between $1.50 and $4.00 for each cellular handset collected.
* ECO-CELL accepts all cell phones, batteries and chargers regardless of condition.
* ECO-CELL will provide collection boxes/bags flyers and other promotional materials as well as pickup of the phones all at no cost.
* ECO-CELL will assign a coordinator to work with each fund-raiser/collection effort.
* The fund-raising organization will receive a check for all the cellular handsets collected within 30 days of pickup.
THE PROCESS
1. Register
* Fill out the registration form included with this information and return it to ECO-CELL.
* ECO-CELL will assign you a local coordinator to support your fund-raising efforts.
2. Set Goals
* Determine the amount of money that you wish to raise. (Generally, 45% of the people you target will have used cell phones.)
* Determine a time-frame in which you hope to accomplish your goals.
3. Order Free Boxes and Promotional Materials
* Just call ECO-CELL at (502) 423-5031 or (888) 326-3357 or
* Email ECO-CELL at program@eco-cell.org to receive your free promotional materials.
4.
Promotional Activities
* Hang posters throughout your community.
* Send letters/flyers to:
Donors
Businesses within your geographic coverage
Community leaders
* Press Release - promote your recycling program through your community paper, organization newsletter, web site, local TV/radio station(s), etc.
* Put the ECO-CELL banner on your web site.
5. Get Participants Involved
* Involve all participants by assigning jobs in the different phases of the collection effort.
* Have a party for groups that collect the most (offer rewards, prizes, etc.).
6. Monitor Progress
* Let your organization and ECO-CELL know how well you are doing by providing periodic updates.
* Send letters of thanks to your supporters and inform them of your organization's success.
7. Free pick up of cell phones
* Count the handsets you have collected and contact ECO-CELL to schedule free pick up of all your cell phones and accessories.
8. Payment
* A check and detailed invoice will be issued within 30 days of pick up after the cell phones have been received, recounted and sorted by ECO-CELL.
ABOUT US
ECO-CELL is working with non-profit organizations, clubs, schools, businesses and local communities to reduce the quantity of cell phones that end up in
landfills or drawers.
Reuse
Through our innovative program approximately 80% of the phones collected will be reused by first time, low income users in Latin America or by selected
local organizations, such as Battered Women's Programs, for emergency use.
Recycle
All unusable cell phones and accessories will be recycled under EPA guidelines by certified recyclers.
A Win-Win
The idea of our program is to:
* provide funds for various organizations through their collection effort;
* minimize the amount of materials that need to be recycled through the reuse of these phones;
* and reduce the cost to the community of recycling this hazardous waste.
THE PROBLEM*
Increasingly the world is realizing and becoming concerned about the waste that is generated from electronic products.
Cell phones represent a small percentage of the total waste that is generated by these products. However, due to their small size and rapid replacement
cycle, they are more likely to end up in the waste stream and contribute a growing portion of the toxic materials that end up in our landfills.
Cell phones and their accessories contain a large number of hazardous substances known as Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals (PBTs). Included
in the list of PBTs are metals (e.g. antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, copper and lead) which can linger in the environment for a long time and have
adverse effects on human health. A number of these chemicals have been know to cause damage to the nervous system, reproductive and development problems,
cancer and other genetic impacts.
In addition, an ore called "Coltan" (coloumbo-tantalite) is a source of the element tantalum which is an essential coating for components of cell
phones. This ore is often found in the Congo in the middle of endangered gorilla and elephant habitats. These animals are being killed by rebel bands of
natives mining this ore. The U.N. has reported that in the past five years, the eastern lowland gorilla population in the Congo has declined 90%. Reducing
the demand for Coltan will help save these animals.
THE PROBLEM*
There are nearly 150 million cellular users in the United States alone. About 40 million phones turnover or "churn" annually. If you add in the rapidly
growing number of out of use phones, it is estimated that by 2005 there will be over 700 million retired cell phones in the U.S.
Seventy-five percent of these phones will be in people's drawers at home or at work. The balance is going to landfills or is recycled. The EPA estimates
that this quantity of cell phones is equal to about 250,000 tons of toxic materials.
Just the printed boards alone from this quantity of phones, if discarded improperly, would release over 300,000 pounds of lead into the environment.
* This summary is from the most comprehensive study to date on the problem of cell phone pollution. It was sponsored by the EPA and conducted by INFORM, a
national nonprofit research organization.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference between ECO-CELL and others who are collecting cell phones?
Unlike other companies, ECO-CELL will accept all types of handsets and all accessories regardless of condition.
Our program offers the collecting organization a simple "turn-key" process that pays between $1.50 and $4.00 for every handset collected and reduces
environmental contamination of our landfills.
We do not accept regular (wired) telephones, cordless fixed phones, two-way radios or walkie-talkies. Our collection effort is limited to cellular
technology.
2. Should people have any concerns about giving up their unused cell phones?
No. Provided they have discontinued service on their unused phone(s). The cell phones which are reused in your area are solely for emergency use (911 calls)
that is free. None of the personal information can be accessed.
3. How does the collecting organization get paid?
Your organization will receive a check within 30 days from when ECO-CELL picks up your handsets.
4. Who counts the handsets?
Handsets are counted by ECO-CELL to determine the payment that is to be made to the collecting organization.
Only handsets are counted, batteries and other accessories are not counted. ECO-CELL will provide a complete invoice of all collected handsets with each
check.
5. Is the donation tax-deductible?
Your donation may very well be tax-deductible. Please check with your collecting organization to verify this. A receipt for a tax deduction can only be
issued by a non- profit organization.
6. What happens to the phones and accessories which cannot be reused?
ECO-CELL partners with INMETCO the only recycler in North America using a High Temperature Metal Recovery process for the thermal recovery of metals. This
process is recognized by the EPA as the best demonstrated available technology.
ECO-CELL also works with a number of companies that re-utilize the electric cells in batteries and/or makes use of its partnership with the Rechargeable
Battery Recycling Corporation to ensure the proper disposal of batteries.
Chargers are sold to recyclers, kitted with the cell phones that go to charitable organizations for emergency use, or disposed of properly.
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