INITIATIVE | 066 Mobile phones and other mobile devices (pages, PDAs) present a growing threat to the environment. As of 2007, there are more than 750 million mobile phones waiting to be recycled in the US; either in drawers, or already in the waste stream. Another 150+ million or so will be added this year and even more next year. Once in the waste stream, these devices may leak Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic and other toxic substances into the water supply. Municipalities often incinerate their waste, instantly putting these toxic elements into the air, and they return to earth in rain water. Since life on Earth depends on water, the threat is clear.
Shaw has partnered with CollectiveGood for recycling mobile phones. Employees recycle their phones through on-site collection locations throughout Shaw facilities or through contacting CollectiveGood directly by going to http://www.collectivegood.com/shawgreen.
Mobile phone reuse is the highest form of recycling, causing the least drain on resources. These low-cost, refurbished phones provide affordable modern communications to citizens in the developing world throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, Eastern Europe and India. Phones that cannot be reused are recycled; everything from the batteries, chargers, accessories, and boxes.
Proceeds for the sales of the recycled phones are donated to United Way to further their missions, essentially converting idle mobile phones into good deeds.
No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. That's the Shaw Green Edge.
For more information visit the CollectiveGood website at http://www.collectivegood.com.
