Wireless Zone Provides Opportunity for Residents to Recycle Old Cell Phones

Wireless Zone of Blacksburg, part of the largest independent Verizon Wireless franchise in the U.S., is asking all residents to dig up those old cell phones out of the "drawer graveyard" and turn them in to their store in an effort to keep the phones out of landfills.

According to Jason Tice, owner of Wireless Zone of Blacksburg, the average American casts aside their old phone for a new one every 16 months - with the majority burying them in drawers in their home or office. "It’s unfortunate that only 10 percent of Americans recycle their phone in today’s day and age," Tice said, adding that residents will have the opportunity to dispose of their phone in an environmentally friendly manner as well as get a store gift card, typically between $10 and $100.

"We invite all Blacksburg residents - whether they are a Wireless Zone customer or not - to drop off their old phones, regardless of manufacturer or carrier."

Disposed cell phones can leach hazardous amounts of lead into landfills if not done properly, and Tice says it is important for consumers to find a retailer that participates in the Environmental Protection Agency approved methods of recycling in full compliance with all federal, state, EPA, and DOT regulations.

So what does Wireless Zone do with all the cell phones? According to Tice, they’ve partnered with two programs that provide cell phone recycling services: Call2Recycle and Flipswap.

Call2Recycle recycles old phones and their rechargeable batteries in an effort to keep them out of the nation’s solid waste stream and preserve natural resources.  "The program is a simple solution for the responsible disposal of used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones and enables consumers to do their part to preserve the environment," said Linda Gabor, director of marketing & media relations for Call2Recycle.

Flipswap works to put millions of electronic devices back into service by recycling with the most responsible techniques available and by preventing them from ending up in landfills.

"It is encouraging that more and more companies are contributing to a greener future and we’re excited to be a part of that," Tice said.

For more information on Wireless Zone located at 208 North Main Street, please contact Jason Tice at (540) 961-4200.

ABOUT WIRELESS ZONE:

When Russ Weldon created what he then called "The Car Phone Store" in 1988, he envisioned a retail store solely dedicated to wireless communications products and services. Nearly 20 years later, the renamed and re-energized Wireless Zone franchise is operating 270 locations, mainly in the Northeast, with plans to have 400 locations open in 2008. Now, the franchise is launching the concept throughout the South and Midwest, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to join the nation’s largest exclusive carrier and retailer of Verizon Wireless products and services. Wireless Zone is a division of Automotive Technologies, Inc. For more information, visit www.wirelesszone.com.