Sprint plans to reach a 90% phone collection rate for reuse/recycling compared
with annual wireless device sales by 2017.
Sprint has
instituted a "Zer0 e-Waste" policy with the providers who receive and
process the recycled phones it collects, ensuring they are recycled
safely, ethically and responsibly.
A recent Sprint
survey examining consumers' mobile phone recycling habits found that
nine out of 10 surveyed own at least one and as many as five old,
unused mobile phones.
To encourage consumers to recycle their unused
wireless devices, Sprint offers two free and easy programs: Sprint Buyback and Sprint Project Connect
- Sprint customers can participate in the Sprint Buyback program by going to www.sprint.com/recycle
or going to any Sprint-owned retail stores nationwide. The wireless device
recovery effort allows customers to return eligible Sprint or Nextel
devices for account credits. - Anyone can recycle with Sprint Project Connect.
The program accepts all wireless phones, batteries, accessories and
data cards, regardless of carrier or condition. Free postage-paid
envelopes are available at any Sprint-owned retail store, and come in
the box with most new phones sold by Sprint.
Since 2001, Sprint's recycling and reuse programs have raised more than
$6 million for charities. Today all net proceeds generated from the
wireless equipment collected by Sprint Project Connect support Internet
safety for kids through Sprint's4NetSafety Program. Charitable partners include the National Center for Missing
& Exploited Children and the NEA Health Information Network.
In 2008, Sprint collected more than 3 million
units, equal to 34 percent of devices sold, an increase from 22 percent
in 2007. Of the handsets that Sprint collected in 2008, more than 90
percent were reused. More information on Sprint programs that protect
the environment is available at http://www.sprint.com/responsibility/sustainability.html.