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CTIA Position:
CTIA–The Wireless Association® and the wireless industry are committed to the sustainable development and the environmentally sound management of end-of-life wireless products. 

Through the deployment of national recycling programs, the wireless industry is successfully working to keep used wireless devices out of the waste stream. 

We support these voluntary, industry-led initiatives, and are opposed to regulating electronic recycling programs for wireless devices. 

Key Points: 

  • Regulations on Wireless Recycling are Unnecessary. Regulating wireless recycling is not an effective method of end-of-life management for wireless products. The wireless industry has successfully implemented voluntary recycling programs nationwide that are sufficiently addressing the need for proper disposal of used wireless devices. Conversely, many state-mandated recycling programs in other areas, such as glass and plastics, have proven to be not as successful as originally hoped. Mandated  programs could also require high compliance expenses for companies, which could lead to increased costs for consumers. Why tamper with programs that are working only to replace them with plans that are proven to be ineffective?
  • Public Outreach and Awareness Campaigns Educate Consumers on the Importance of Wireless Recycling. CTIA and its member companies participating in the Wireless...The New Recyclable™ program educate consumers through a variety of individual take-back programs. Consumers can seek information about how and where to recycle their phones at a comprehensive website that informs consumers about what can be recycled, why it is important to recycle and  how and where they can do it. Program participants also agree to abide by the specific guidelines the industry, with input from all relevant stakeholders, developed several years ago regarding the collection, transportation and recycling/materials recovery of wireless devices.
  • New Wireless Product Designs Reduce Potential Environmental Impacts. Wireless manufacturers are continually improving the design of mobile  phones to be more lightweight and environmentally friendly. They are phasing out the use of substances such as lead and cadmium, and maximizing the use of recycled materials. The new generations of wireless devices currently weigh approximately 79g; this is 42% less than earlier models.
  • Size and Portability of Wireless Devices Set Them Apart from Larger Consumer Electronics When it Comes to Recycling. Not all electronics products are the same. Wireless phones—measured in ounces—present different, and much smaller environmental impact issues than large flat screen televisions, stereos, computers, or other large electronics that are measured in tens or hundreds of pounds. Further, unlike recycling programs for larger electronics, wireless recycling programs are currently self-funding. This eliminates costs to the consumer and ensures much more interest among recycling companies to collect the phones and recycle their components. Destroying the nationally-based, voluntary self-funding programs that carriers and manufacturers operate, and replacing them with state-mandated, inconsistent programs will virtually guarantee a reduction in wireless recycling and needlessly increase cost to consumers.