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CTIA's “go wireless, go green” website provides useful information about measures consumers can take to be more environmentally responsible, CTIA members’ initiatives to improve their operations to be more sustainable and the eco-friendly value wireless provides other industries.
The website also provides consumers with information on how they can recycle their wireless devices, such as smartphones and cellphones, as well as their wireless accessories. For consumers who want to know what happens once they return their devices and accessories, CTIA explains the recycling, refurbishing and reusing processes.
To learn more click here.
Recycling Wireless Devices
CTIA-The Wireless Association® and the wireless industry's sustainability efforts include developing eco-friendly products and services, implementing energy-efficient measures in network operations and business practices and educating consumers about recycling their wireless devices (e.g. cellphones and smartphones) and accessories. By changing our own practices and providing innovative solutions and applications for other industries, we are making major contributions to creating a low-carbon economy.
In recognition of Earth Day 2011, CTIA launched the “go wireless, go green” website to provide consumers with useful information about how they can be more environmentally responsible. It also includes CTIA members’ initiatives to improve their operations to be more sustainable and the eco-friendly value wireless provides other industries.
How do I recycle my wireless device?
Whether it's directly from a carrier, manufacturer or a third party organization, consumers have a variety of options to recycle their "old" devices and accessories. We encourage you to erase your personal information from your device before you recycle it. Here are four simple tips to safely remove your information:
- Preserve the contacts, photos, texts or other data you want to keep.
- Terminate your device's wireless service by contacting your provider.
- Use device-specific instructions to clear the device's memory of stored information.
- Remove the SIM card (found in some GSM or 4G devices). If you're unsure if your device has one, contact your provider for more information.
Now that your personal information has been safely removed from your device, who you donate to is your decision. There are a variety of options from carrier- and manufacturer-sponsored initiatives to third party organizations, such as drop-off or mail back programs, websites and charity drives.
If you're not sure where to recycle your wireless devices, such as cellphones or smartphones, all major carriers and many others will accept any device or accessory at their stores, regardless of which carrier provided your service. Click here for a list of our members' consumer recycling programs.
What is recyclable?
All wireless devices and their accessories are recyclable, regardless of age or condition. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and tablets, wireless computer cards and accessories such as batteries, phone chargers, cables, headsets, earpieces, cases, clips and cradles are recyclable. Learn how to donate your devices and accessories through CTIA members' consumer recycling programs.
Are wireless devices designed in an environmentally responsible way?
Wireless manufacturers are incorporating a variety of environmentally-sensitive practices into the development and production of new devices and accessories. Some examples include carbon neutral phones and solar-powered handsets and chargers. More products are made using recycled and recyclable materials, such as biopaints and bioplastics that are made from vegetable oil, not crude oil. In addition, manufacturers have eliminated or greatly reduced the use of hazardous substances such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), lead and cadmimum. While new devices continue to be more powerful than ever, many require less energy to operate and employ smarter charging features. Find out how wireless manufacturers are developing more environmentally-friendly devices and packaging.
What happens once a device is refurbished, recycled or reused?
Once a used wireless device is dropped off at a participating retail store, or mailed to a carrier or manufacturer with mail-in programs, the product will typically be packaged and shipped to a facility for evaluation.Then, it will be refurbished, recycled or reused:
- Refurbished: When a wireless device is refurbished, it is cleaned, tested and updated. Once it has gone through this process, it might be sold in at a discounted price available from carrier stores, resellers or online merchants.
- Recycled: When wireless devices reach their end-of-life, they are sent to processing facilities that recover and safely recycle reusable materials, including batteries. The metals and minerals are melted to create a metal alloy brick, which is covered in “slag.” The reusable metal is separated and purified while the slag is used for shingles and road
- Reused: When devices are being reused, they are externally and internally cleaned. Similar to the refurbishing process, a device’s software and hardware might be tested and updated. Then a new owner can use the cleaned device under a new plan and a new phone number. It could be as short as a couple of weeks from one owner to the next.
