Save the Environment & Raise Funds For Charity: Collecting Used Cellphones and Empty Inkjet CartridgesDo you have a used cellphone taking space in a
drawer or cabinet?
Do you have empty inkjet cartridges lying around? Did you know that these items contain metals that harm our environment if thrown in the trash or improperly disposed of? Bring your used cellphones and empty inkjet cartridges and place in the specially marked bins at the church entrances the weekends of February 20 and February 26. The phones and cartridges will be reconditioned or reused or disposed in an environmentally-friendly manner. The proceeds from this fundraiser will be used during the St. Anne Confirmation Program Service Project on Saturday, April 8. The Confirmation staff are working with Rebuilding Together Oakland (RTO) to organize a large-scale community service activity Saturday, April 8, 2006. Our nearly 80 confirmation students will likely do some gardening, painting, construction, simple electrical work, and more at a community center or park in West Oakland. For more information about RTO, see this information sheet or visit their website at http://www.rebuildingtogetheroakland.org/ . Frequently Asked Questions about Donating Cell Phones Why should I donate my cell phones or inkjet cartridges? Did you know that cell phones and laptops contain toxic materials such as arsenic, lead and zinc? According to a new study by environmental research group Inform, people in the US will soon be getting rid of about 130 million cell phones each year. "That's about 65,000 tons of cell phones and ultimately they are thrown away!" Your used phone contains hazardous substances that can pollute the air, soil, and drinking water if not recycled properly. One cell phone can contaminate 132,000 liters of water! Items donated through our Phoneraiser program, however, are given new life. Your used phones and laptops are desirable to people living in developing nations. Phoneraiser makes your unused technology available to those who can use it, while keeping it out of the landfill. You will be giving old technology new life and keeping it from polluting our landfill. What types of cell phones does Phoneraiser accept? Phoneraiser accepts all types of cell phones. We will primarily pay for phones that are featured on our cell phone price list. Some phones that are not shown on our list do contain economic value and will be included in the payment. If a phone cannot be reused in another market PhoneraiserTM will absorb the cost of properly recycling it. What happens to information in the cell phones? Cell phones that are recycled are completely dismantled, and through this process the information is destroyed. Phones that are reused in other markets are “flashed” to allow new software to be loaded. This process erases the phone’s memory and enables a new number to be assigned. However, PhoneraiserTM strongly recommends that donors clear the memories on their cell phones of any sensitive private information before donating them. In addition, donors should always ensure the service on any cell phone they donate has been disconnected, to prevent fraudulent use. Phoneraiser will not be responsible for any information left stored in the memories of phones donated or their fraudulent use. Why are cell phones so harmful to the environment? Improper disposal of cell phones is a serious threat to our environment. Every cell phone contains no less that 8 hazardous materials including Arsenic, Antimony, Beryllium, Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Nickel and Zinc. Disposing of these phones in a landfill allows these substances to leach into groundwater and soil. Burning them in an incinerator releases chemicals associated with reproductive complications, cancers, and developmental problems especially in children. In 2005 alone, 130 million cell phones will be discarded. Home: |