CALGARY – Alberta became the eighth province to join the Recycle My Cell program, allowing residents to safely and easily recycle their used wireless devices.
The free program, spearheaded by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), helps consumers find out where and how to properly dispose of their cell phones and other wireless devices – regardless of carrier, brand or condition.
Currently, 15% of cell phones in Alberta are collected for recycling, according to the CWTA. A memorandum of understanding signed Friday between government and industry is expected to increase that figure to 37% by 2015.
With 574 drop-off locations in 78 communities now available across the province, the program’s website uses postal codes to create a list of the nearest recycling depots. Equipment can also be mailed in after printing a postage-paid label from the website. For each device returned through the program, a donation will also be made to participating charities, including the World Wildlife Fund, Tree Canada and Food Banks Canada.
“Canada’s wireless industry extends its appreciation to the Government of Alberta for including the Recycle My Cell program as part of its longstanding commitment to environmental protection,” said CWTA president Bernard Lord, in the announcement. “Recycling cell phones is easier than ever, and now it also enriches our communities.”
