US Telco Trade Body Gets Environmental

The USA telecoms trade body, the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) and its participating members has unveiled an innovative initiative entitled, "Wireless...The New Recyclable" to promote the environmentally sound recycling of used wireless products and accessories.

"The wireless industry has been a leader in encouraging the safe management of its used hardware, recycling tons of wireless devices and accessories over the past 5 years," said Tom Wheeler, President & CEO of CTIA. "With today's launch, the industry is taking an aggressive leap forward. CTIA will be the central point of synergy, organizing a combined industry effort that is greater than the sum of individual company's existing recycling programs. CTIA will also take the lead in educating and energizing consumers on the importance and ease of recycling wireless products."

The following principles reflect the wireless industry's environmental commitment and form the foundation of "Wireless...The New Recyclable." Participating CTIA members commit to:

1. Promoting continued product and market innovations that provide consumers with more value and choice while minimizing environmental impacts.
2. Promoting the recyclability of products and packaging.
3. Fostering responsible product stewardship practices among customers, suppliers, stakeholders, and employees.
4. Informing customers of ways in which they can help ensure the environmentally sound disposition of used wireless devices.
5. Encouraging the collection and, where appropriate, reuse of wireless devices in accordance with applicable CTIA Guidelines.
6. Adhering to the CTIA Guidelines for Recycling/Materials Recovery from End-of-Life Wireless Devices in the selection of recyclers of wireless devices.
7. Striving for continued improvement in environmental performance related to the collection and disposition of used wireless devices.
8. Making public available information on the management of used wireless devices through Wireless...the New Recyclable.
9. Complying with all applicable environmental and other regulatory requirements.
10. Integrating these CTIA Environmental Principles into business operations.

A number of wireless carriers, manufacturers and organizations are already participating in this initiative, including AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Motorola, Nextel, Nokia, Panasonic, ReCellular, Sony Ericsson, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, and the Wireless Foundation. CTIA expects additional wireless companies to join the initiative in the coming months as well."

Posted to the site on 24th October 2003