Recellular Offers Help to California Cell Phone Retailers

ReCellular Inc., Dexter, Mich., a major collector, reseller and recycler of used wireless phones and accessories, has announced that it stands fully equipped to help wireless retailers comply with the mandates of California's Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004. 

The act, signed into law Sept. 29, requires merchants selling cell phones within the state to institute mechanisms to collect used wireless handsets for reuse, recycling, or environmentally sound disposal.

ReCellular, in cooperation with various charitable and retail partners,
collects hundreds of thousands of cell phones at thousands of drop-off
locations around the state.  ReCellular collects, then reconditions wireless
equipment for resale in developing markets where new equipment is often cost-
prohibitive; devices that are beyond repair are sent to partner companies for
responsible component recycling.  The majority of proceeds are returned to the
sponsoring charity or company in a process the new California law calls a
"model system."

"As a company founded to improve environmental stewardship, ReCellular is
excited to help implement California Bill 2901," Charles Newman,

Under ReCellular's system, collection partners can use a variety of
simple collection methods, including postage-paid boxes and self-mailer
envelopes that are used for shipping used cell phones to the company.  No cost
is incurred by the partner -- in fact, the charity or retailer can actually
realize a financial return for their collection efforts.

ReCellular's collection programs meet all requirements of California's
Cell Phone Recycling Act and can be instituted with a retailer in as little as
45 days, the company says.

Founded in 1990, ReCellular has won numerous awards for its recycling
efforts, among them the 2004 National Recycling Coalition's Outstanding Market Development award.  The company is a partner with numerous national cell phone retailers, including Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, T-Mobile and Best Buy, as well as with charities, including the March of Dimes, the We Deliver Dreams Foundation, Veterans Advantage, and the State of Arizona's September 11th Memorial Commission.

ReCellular maintains an online clearinghouse of locations at which cell