What Happens to Re-Usable Cell Phones?

•           Some are in 'almost new' condition and still in working order. These phones are cleaned and new display screens or lenses may be installed.

•           Others require remanufacture including repair or replacement of internal components including the antenna, circuit boards and receiver and transmitter components or external parts such as the keys, buttons and controls.

•          They are tested for electrical and communication performance and new or refurbished batteries may be installed.

•           Phones are sent to areas of the world where there are no land (wire) lines or where the cost of a new phone is prohibitive.

•           Some phones are donated to shelters for abused adults and children so they may have 911 (emergency only) communication and others are provided to medical patients who are awaiting organ transplants.

               What Happens to the 30 - 50% of Cell Phones which are non Re-Usable?

•           Batteries are separated from the handset and sent to a specialized, USEPA permitted facility (the only one in North America) for the recovery of various metals including nickel, cadmium and lead for reuse in new products.

•           Handsets are shredded and processed at one of several smelters in Canada or the United States for the recovery of copper and the trace precious metals in the circuit board.

•           The plastic cases, which cannot be easily or economically recycled (because of contamination from labels, stickers, metals and incompatible polymers), are used as a source of thermal energy fuel for the smelter process.

•          The recovered metals are refined for purification and are reused in new copper wire and cable, jewelry, automotive catalytic converters, new electronic equipment and many other products.