Drop off old cell phones for recycling to help U.S. troops
Memorial Day weekend brings with it a new local effort for soldiers stationed overseas.
Beginning Tuesday, Utah's five University of Phoenix campuses will become ongoing drop-off donation centers for the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. Anyone can drop off old or unused cell phones at campuses along the Wasatch Front and in St. George. The program will recycle the phones for cash, and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops.
"These cards are a lifeline of emotional support to families and their deployed soldiers. They don't need the added stress of long-distance phone bills," said Darris Howe, director of Phoenix's Utah campuses.
The program, he said, began with two Maine-based teenagers and $21 of their own money and has grown to the distribution of more than 500,000 calling cards, worth more than $2 million, to soldiers serving the country overseas. The selfless cause of the registered nonprofit organization motivated Howe to set up donation centers and donate at least one of his own or family member's phones.
Collected phones will be sent to ReCellular, which pays the organization for each phone — enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad. Approximately half of the phones the company processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in more than 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including precious metals from circuit boards, copper wiring from phone chargers, nickel, iron and cadmium from lead battery packs and plastic from phone cases and various accessories.
The group hopes to raise enough money to purchase more than 12 million minutes of talk time.
Donations can be made during business hours at any campus, which all boast easy access from I-15.
E-MAIL: wleonard@desnews.com
Recent comments
Why can't phone companies set aside an account with pre-paid minutes...
Sean | May 24, 2009 at 8:04 p.m.
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies 4:19 a.m.
- College football: Big-5 glance 12:34 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:14 a.m.
- Missions teach players perseverance 12:08 a.m.
- Scout answer to church's prayers 12:08 a.m.
- Project helps Guatemalan kids 12:07 a.m.
- No expiration date on gratitude 12:07 a.m.
- Nursery Rhymes' gratitude 12:07 a.m.
- Temple Square to use LEDs 12:06 a.m.
- Mormon mom helps hungry children 12:05 a.m.
- Cave rescuers committed to free man
- Howard made the rivalry a rivalry
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Donny and Kym dance to victory
- Twitterati to BCS: 'We hate you.'
- Cougars cruise past Southern
- Loyal to Cougarettes, Crimson Line
- BYU has slim shot at BCS
- Y. focused on 10-win season
- Thunder rolls by Jazz
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
259 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
227 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
209 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
129 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
111 - Boys basketball rankings
111 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
104
Get a coach!
Ok, I give up. What date is 13-13-13?
We've lost all concept of scale. We think we humans can change the course of...
I pray for all those involved that God will send his comforting Spirit to...
Her commitment to her cause is commendable; however, I think her tactics are...
The Dog Named Christmas sounds like a real downer for the holiday's. I'm...
As we gaze at the Norman Rockwell painting this Thanksgiving, or, turn on the...
I completely reject your assumption Huntsman or Butters are the only two...
This is truly a tragedy. My heart goes out to the family and friends. But...
Ah yes everything is Bush's fault there is no pre or post history life...



