Province Joins National Cell Phone
Recycling Program
The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minster of
Environment and Conservation, and Mike Samson, Interim Chair and CEO of
the Multi Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), were joined today by
Bernard Lord, President and CEO of the Canadian Wireless
Telecommunications Association (CWTA), to announce a partnership aimed
at making it easier to recycle old cell phones.
"In conjunction with the Canadian Wireless
Telecommunications Association, a Recycle My Cell program is being
officially launched in the province offering cell phone users a chance
to, recycle and properly dispose of old cell phones," said Minister
Johnson. "Our government and the MMSB are delighted with this recycling
initiative. Keeping old cell phones, and other wireless devices, out of
landfill sites is imperative to moving forward with a more progressive
waste management plan for the province."
The CWTA�s national program allows users to find out
where and how to properly dispose of cell phones and other wireless
devices, regardless of carrier, brand or condition, at
www.RecycleMyCell.ca. The free program is organized by CWTA in
conjunction with cell phone service providers, handset manufacturers and
recycling companies.
"The goal of this program is to raise awareness about
the importance of cell phone recycling and keep handsets from entering
our landfills," said Minister Johnson. "We are committed to protecting
our environment and diverting waste from our landfills and this
initiative will help us achieve our 50 per cent waste diversion goal.
Cell phones and other wireless devices make up a small amount of the
total waste generated in our province, but every bit counts."
"It is always encouraging to see industry and groups
like the CWTA recognize that we all play a role in protecting the
environment," said Mr. Samson. "Clearly, it is the responsibility of all
of us to take action for our environment, and the MMSB applauds CWTA for
their recycling efforts and for launching the Recycle My Cell program in
Newfoundland and Labrador."
Users can find cell phone recycling drop-off locations
by entering a postal code at www.RecycleMyCell.ca or calling
1-888-797-1740 for more information. This generates a list of the 10
closest cell phone recycling drop-off sites. For those who can�t visit
one of these drop-off locations in person, the website provides a
postage-paid label that can be printed, as well as instructions for
clearing devices of all personal data before drop-off at a recycling
site.
"Newfoundland and Labrador has a long history of
sustainable development and environmental protection, and today�s
official recognition of the new Recycle My Cell program as part of its
provincial e-waste management strategy is further testament to that
commitment," said Mr. Lord. "On behalf of the industry, I extend our
appreciation to the Provincial Government for its confidence and
recognition of the wireless industry�s commitment to the environment as
well."
Many different items are accepted for recycling,
including cell phones, smartphones, pagers, aircards, batteries,
chargers and accessories. After the device is received, it is sent to a
recycling plant where it can be taken apart for scrap or be refurbished.
Proceeds from the sale of refurbished phones and scrap materials are
donated to numerous national and local charities. All of the recycling
companies involved with the Recycle My Cell program are ISO 14001:2004
certified, meaning they have an environmental management system in place
which ensures accountability and knowledge of the associated
environmental impacts.
Recycle My Cell is made possible with participation
from: Bell, GREENTEC, KYOCERA, Motorola, MTS, Nokia, ReCellular Inc.,
Research In Motion, Rogers Communications Inc., Samsung, SaskTel, Sony
Ericsson, TbayTel, TELUS and Virgin Mobile Canada.
CWTA represents cellular, messaging, mobile radio,
fixed wireless and mobile satellite carriers, as well as companies that
develop and produce products and services for the industry. For more
information about CWTA visit www.cwta.ca.
MMSB is a provincial Crown agency that reports to the
Minister of Environment and Conservation. Its mandate is to support
progressive waste management practices in the province, with a
particular focus on waste diversion, recycling and public education, in
order to ensure a clean and healthy environment throughout Newfoundland
and Labrador.
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