Riding up the escalator at Farragut North this morning, I heard someone hawking at the top of the stairs and immediately started thinking about how to avoid them. Even though it was a little early for the LaRouche supporters to be out, I took a defensive stance: eyes down, holding my phone as though I needed to make an important call.
As I got closer, I realized there was something different about the people handing out fliers today. "We only recycle 2% of cell phones! We need to do more," said the friendly but earnest voice. It was enough to get me to look, and by then I'd been handed a flier promoting a cell phone recycling program for Earth Day. The flier explains that cell phones contain "lead, mercury and arsenic" and that tossing them in the trash pollutes our air, land and water with these hazardous and toxic materials. A further scan showed it had a catchy URL — www.recyclemycellphone.org — so it was a keeper.
The Recycle My Cell Phone campaign is a project of Earthworks, and they're marking the program's one-year anniversary by sponsoring collections for used cell phones as well as issuing a report card for the wireless industry which gives the big four carriers a well-deserved "F" for their recycling efforts to date. There are opportunities on the website to take action and encourage your provider to do more to keep old phones out of landfills.
But it doesn't stop there. Thanks to the efforts of those working on this campaign, you can drop off your cell phone, beeper or PDA — along with accessories and chargers — to be recycled during Earth Week. Right outside my Metro stop, there will be a collection at Farragut Square this Wednesday through Friday, and collections are planned across the country. Can't find one near you? Use the handy form on the website to print out a postage paid mailing label and send your phone off to be recycled free of charge.
I know I've got a few old cell phones and maybe even a Handspring or two that I need to dispose of properly. Thanks to those intrepid activists at the escalator, now I know how to do it. Next time I see you guys, I'll be sure to make eye contact.
