Virgin Mobile Promotes Handset Recycling

Virgin Mobile USA says that it will now provide a recycling envelope in every new handset package sold by the company. In partnership with ReCellular, Virgin Mobile is educating its customers about the importance of recycling phones, and encouraging them to pass along used mobile phones by placing over 2 million postage-paid recycling envelopes in new Virgin Mobile phones. Used phones returned to the company may be resold to other markets or donated and recycled by ReCellular.

"An estimated 500 million unused phones are sitting in drawers and closets around the country, and less than 10% of these are recycled," said Dan Schulman, chief executive officer, Virgin Mobile USA. "We believe making it easy for our used phones to be returned and reused is the most responsible step to take." The companies have been planning this initiative for months and envelopes began appearing in new phones last month. "We felt that the upcoming occasion of 'America Recycles Day' on November 15 is a terrific opportunity to focus consumers on the importance of doing this with cell phones to help save the environment," added Schulman.

According to Virgin Mobile, phones may be refurbished and distributed where mobile phones are needed at a reduced price. If a phone cannot be re-used or refurbished, it will be recycled for alternative uses.

"Virgin Mobile has stepped to the forefront as a leader in cellular phone recycling, joining us in the critical efforts to combat hazardous materials penetrating the earth," said Charles Newman, president and chief executive officer of ReCellular, Inc. "This is a particularly important step given the recent compliance legislation passed in California and New York and expected to pass in most states over the coming year." According to a study conducted by environmental research company INFORM Inc., more than 1 billion cell phones are used worldwide. As of 2005, about 130 million cell phones weighing approximately 65,000 tons of waste were being retired annually in the U.S.

Helping The Environment and Homeless Youth

Virgin Mobile will donate 100% of the profits from this recycling program to its partners that support homeless youth. Virgin Mobile introduced its aggressive and innovative cause-related partnership, "The Re*Generation," earlier this year, connecting young people in need with those who want to help make a difference with non-profit partners YouthNoise and StandUp For Kids. As part of that initiative, customers who send in phones to be recycled will receive a custom-designed cell phone charm designed by the winner of the company's Charm Contest held this past summer."

Posted to the site on 7th November 2006