Wireless…The New Recyclable™
April 2006
CTIA–The Wireless Association® and its member companies are committed to the goal of sustainable development and the environmentally sound management of end-of-life wireless products. CTIA’s members that manufacture mobile devices are continually designing their products smaller, lighter and ever more environmentally friendly. For example, handset manufacturers are phasing out the use of cadmium and lead. CTIA and its member companies have also designed and launched a comprehensive national recycling program, Wireless…The New Recyclable™, a program pursuant to which companies collect used mobile devices, recycle or refurbish them, and raise public awareness of the fact that their used mobile devices are in fact recyclable products.
- Public Outreach and Awareness: CTIA and its member companies participating in the Wireless...The New Recyclable™ program educate consumers through individual take-back programs by displaying informational material in retail locations and on websites directing consumers to www.recyclewirelessphones.com 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.
- Voluntary Guidelines for the Collection, Transportation, Recycling and Refurbishment of Wireless Devices: Participants in Wireless…The New Recyclable™ program 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. Refurbishing guidelines are also in place to encourage refurbishers to perform their activities in a manner that is environmentally responsible and compliant with applicable regulations. More >
- Wireless Industry Principles for Environmentally Sound Management of end-of-life mobile devices: Participants in Wireless…The New Recyclable™ have incorporated the following general principles into their operations and approach to wireless recycling:
- Promoting continued product and market innovations that provide consumers with more value and choice while minimizing environmental impacts.
- Promoting the recyclability of products and packaging.
- Fostering responsible product stewardship practices among customers, suppliers, stakeholders, and employees.
- Informing customers of ways in which they can help ensure the environmentally sound disposition of used wireless devices.
- Encouraging the collection and, where appropriate, reuse of wireless devices in accordance with applicable CTIA Guidelines.
- Adhering to the CTIA Guidelines for Recycling/Materials Recovery from End-of-Life Wireless Devices in the selection of recyclers of wireless devices.
- Striving for continued improvement in environmental performance related to the collection and disposition of used wireless devices.
- Making publicly available information on the management of used wireless devices through Wireless...the New Recyclable™.
- Complying with all applicable regulatory and environmental requirements.
- Integrating the CTIA Environmental Principles into business operations.
The following are the kinds of wireless products that can and should be recycled:
- Wireless device chargers may be recycled to recover copper.
- Wireless handsets may be recycled to recover plastics.
- Circuit boards can be recycled to recover precious metals such as gold, silver and palladium and other materials like copper, lead, and zinc.
- Accessory devices, including the headsets, power packs, and clips can also be recycled.
- Batteries are recycled for their nickel, iron, cadmium, lead, and cobalt.
Wireless Phones, Devices, Chargers and Accessories are Recyclable-and it can Start with Your Help!
CTIA WIRELESS 2008® Show Program Guide and Directory & Keynote Session DVDs
If you were not able to make it to Las Vegas for the largest wireless event of the year, all is not lost! Or perhaps you were in attendance but could not be in two places at once and had to miss some of the important events.
CTIA is pleased to offer the next best thing to being there in person -