Today is America Recycles Day. CTIA (News - Alert) (www.ctia.org)- the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, and its member companies, have recognized the importance of the day from the perspective of the wireless device industry.

 

CTIA says Americans have already been going green, and this important day reminds wireless consumers to recycle their used wireless devices and accessories. CTIA encourages programs such as in-store phone take-back and drop-off locations for used phones as part of furthering the recycling efforts. 

 

“These days, many Americans are ‘going green’ and taking measures to reduce, reuse and recycle in their daily lives,” said Steve Largent (News - Alert)., President and CEO of CTIA. “America Recycles Day is a great reminder for the more than 250 million wireless subscribers in the U.S. to reduce their carbon footprint by recycling their old cell phones and accessories.”

 

The wireless industry took the initiative by launching a nationwide recycling campaign called “Wireless…The New Recyclable” in 2003. The campaign aims at increasing the awareness among the wireless consumers with information about the importance and ease of recycling wireless devices.

 

The campaign also promotes an in-store phone take-back program that allows consumers to bring their used wireless devices to carrier retail outlets for recycling purposes. More details about the program are available at: www.recyclewirelessphones.com.

 

“Millions of phones have been collected and kept out of landfills thanks to the wireless industry’s commitment to wireless recycling and the maintenance of successful, consumer friendly recycling programs,” continued Largent. “Thousands of drop-off locations, including every major wireless carrier retail store, collect all makes and models of wireless phones, accessories and chargers, making it easy for consumers across the country to participate in wireless recycling.”

 

In recent years, the wireless recycling movement has expanded beyond carrier retail stores and can now be seen in many well-known businesses and on the Internet. Major retailers such as The Body Shop and Best Buy have established wireless recycling campaigns.

 

CTIA issued the following tips to users before recycling wireless phones:

 

    * Terminate your service.

    * Clear the phone’s memory of contacts and other stored personal information by utilizing the Cell Phone Data Eraser at http://wirelessrecycling.com/home/data_eraser/.

    * Remove your phone’s SIM card, if it has one. Phones that operate on GSM networks use SIM cards. If you are not sure if your phone uses a SIM card or if you need assistance removing your SIM card, contact your wireless provider.