Sprint Commits to Sustainability and Buysback Phones

By Contributor Wireless and Mobile News on February 12, 2009 12:28 PM

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.