Phones for Food was the first national wireless device recycling program of its kind in Canada. Since its launch in 2003, the program has diverted more than 400,000 cell phones from landfills while distributing more than $600,000 to food banks. The Phones for Food program is administered by Food Banks Canada with support from Rogers Communications Inc. and Purolator and recycling provided by Recellular, Inc.
E-waste in Canada
More than 140,000 tons of computer equipment, phones, televisions, stereos and small home appliances accumulate in Canadian landfills each year. Worldwide, 20 to 50 million metric tons of e-waste are disposed of annually. 96% of the materials in an average mobile device are recyclable and many phones that end up in landfills are useable if refurbished.
Recycle My Cell is a national industry initiative led by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) along with its members (wireless manufacturers and service providers) to raise awareness about mobile device recycling. Phones for Food, through its partnership with Rogers Communications Inc., is a participating program of Recycle My Cell.
How Phone Recycling Works
Once received at the Phones for Food collection depot, phones are tracked and delivered to Recellular, the foremost wireless device remanufacturing company in North America, with exceptional environmental standards and practices.
Phones are refurbished and resold. Any phone that cannot be refurbished is recycled according to the highest environmental standards. Recellular's environmental statement is available at recellular.com/environment.
Who Does the Program Help?
Food Banks Canada is the national organization representing a network of over 450 regional and community food banks across Canada. Funds generated through the resale of refurbished phones are directed back to the food bank community to assist the more than 720,000 individuals who access food banks each month. One wireless device, depending on its age and condition, can generate an average of $2-$5 for a local food bank.
How You Can Participate
Donations of phones can be made at all Rogers Plus, Fido and Rogers Wireless Authorized Dealers in Canada or sent by Canada Post to the Phones for Food collection depot using the prepaid mailing label. Not only will your donation help the effort to divert electronic waste from landfills, you can make a personal contribution toward reducing hunger in Canada.
