So, we decided to dig a little deeper. We found that there are some telecom recyclers that accept telecom, but only certain kinds of telecom equipment. Some recyclers will not pick up old phones or ask that you pay for the pick-up. We found there are very few locations that offer full-service telecom recycling and include pickup.
Then there is the most important question, “Is the recycling being done in an ethical, sustainable, environmentally friendly manner. We want to ensure that our customers and supporters are aware, there is a difference in recyclers and we support ethical recycling practices.
We contacted a few recyclers and found that while many have not received a certification of any kind (due to cost, time constraints or other causes), they claim to practice ethical standards. However, the only way to be certain is to follow them or contact one of the certification boards (link later on in the blog) to inquire into the reputation of the company.
Steps to find an Electronics Recycler (eCycler)
Web resources:
The Natural Resources Defense Council has endorsed this e-Stewards Certification program:
http://e-stewards.org/find-a-recycler/
The Environmental Protection Agency’s eCycling website has eCycling partners, lists and more:
http://epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm
TechSoup Global has also compiled a list:
http://www.techsoup.org/maintenance/page12738.cfm.
A note of caution – be careful not to search the internet for “Phone Recycling.” This will lead you to cell phone recyclers…lots and lots of cell phone recyclers. Search for the term “Telecom Recycling.”
Once you find a telecom recycler, the following questions are helpful:
1) “Do you pick up?” If yes, “Do you pick up old phones as well as the other equipment?” Some locations will ask the make and model of your phones before picking up. The reason for this is that some providers have agreements with telecom recyclers and in these cases, they may pick up your phones for free. Odds are, you will have luck finding someone to pick up your phones at no charge if you’re persistent and patient.
2) “Is there a charge associated?” If so, go on to the next recycler. You’ll find one that doesn’t charge. There are national telecom recyclers as well and they sometimes have regular pickup locations. You may need to travel to a location on a specific date.
3) “Are you certified?” While certification is not a requirement in many states and not a federal requirement, this question helps illuminate recycler practices. For more info about the issues surrounding electronic recycling, watch the Electronic Wasteland video from 60 Minutes or utilize the Basel Action Network (BAN) site: http://www.ban.org.
Electronic Wasteland
There are several certifications available to recyclers. Some of the most relevant for telecom recyclers can be found at the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board http://www.anab.org/accreditation/recycling.aspx.
We hope this post has helped to clarify telecom recycling options and we wish you the best of luck when (and if) you recycle your old telecom equipment.
– Robin Campos & the BetterWorld Telecom Team
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