Verizon is leader in cell phone recycling

A new report from an environmental group reveals that most wireless service providers are not in compliance with the New York State cell phone recycling law.
INFORM, Inc., an environmental organization, surveyed service provider retailers and found that almost all offered cell phone recalls, but found that 48 percent of providers failed to advertise the service.
The New York State Wireless Recycling Act, sponsored by New York State Assemblymember William Colton, was passed in January of 2007, requires these service providers to accept cell phones for reuse or recycling free of charge and must make clear the availability of the service.
Other than New York State, California and Maine are the only two other states that requires recalls so that toxic substances such as lead and chromium do not leak out under landfills.
Colton noted “This report provides the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with a basis for targeted inspections, which will send a message to all wireless service providers that compliance is a requirement, not an option. It is clear that DEC and wireless service providers need to do a much better job of informing the public about the availability of this program.”
It turned out that Verizon was the only provider that abided by the law in its entirety, and on the other hand, T-Mobile stores were most inconsistent in following the law, with just one of 16 visited stores displaying a recycling sign.
“As a customer, it’s not easy to recycle your phone,” says C/line Soudant, who authored the report. “You have to look for the box, or ask the employees who are not always aware of the service. And if there is no sign indicating that cell phones are taken back free of charge, many people will not know that this service exists.”