- What is the difference between ECO-CELL
and others who collect cell phones?
- How does the collecting organization get
paid?
- Who counts the handsets?
- Is there a cost to the collecting organization?
- Does ECO-CELL pick up?
- Should people have any concerns about giving
up their used cell phones?
- Is there a tax deduction for people who donate
their used phones?
- Do you work with organizations that already
have a stockpile of used cell phones they would like to
get paid for and just need them picked up?
- Why should people recycle their cell phone(s)?
- How are the phones we collect reused?
- What happens to the phones and batteries
which cannot be reused?
- What happens to the accessories that we
send to ECO-CELL?
- How does ECO-CELL use the information
it collects from its Partners?
- Who do I contact, if I have additional questions?
- How do I sign up?
1. What is the difference
between ECO-CELL and others who collect cell phones?
Unlike other companies, ECO-CELL will accept all types of cellular handsets and all accessories, including batteries. Our program offers the collecting organization a simple process that pays up to $15.00 for every digital handset collected from the following list of the biggest/most popular manufacturers: Audiovox, Ericsson, LG Electronics, Kyocera/Qualcomm, Motorola, Nokia and Samsung. Higher values are placed on selected digital phone models. These vary from month to month. Call us for specific model numbers.
ECO-CELL |
Other Programs |
Environment First—Strict NO LANDFILL Program for all items collected. This includes extra batteries, chargers, accessories, etc. |
Environment Last-LANDFILL cell phones, batteries and accessories that cannot be resold. |
Accepts all cell phones regardless of age or condition. Accepts all accessories, including batteries. Offers simple program that pays up to $15.00 for each cell phone collected. Pays its fundraisers based on a monthly auction conducted with multiple buyers for phones collected. This enables ECO-CELL to find buyers for a large variety of cell phones and pay more for mid to low end phones (the types that are usually collected.) |
Only want very specific high end phones. Do not accept accessories, extra batteries. Uses misleading price lists that promise up to $300 per phone. (These types of phones are rarely if ever collected). Phones must work to qualify for payment indicated on price lists |
Free shipping for all collections regardless of quantity. No inventory or special packing required.
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Free shipping? –Think again. To qualify for “free shipping” fundraisers must inventory collection, pack phones for shipment in a certain way and meet a minimum number of phones. |
| User friendly, and lots of personalized attention. Let ECO-CELL do the work! We’ll even provide you with ideas on how your particular program can promote collection. Provides fundraisers with professional marketing materials, collection boxes & newsletter updates (find out how others are collecting.) |
Little personal attention. “Press 1 for sales, Press 2 for service, Press 3…“ (You know the drill.) |
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2. How does the collecting
organization get paid?
ECO-CELL pays up to $15.00 for all working digital cell phones. The cell phone market is constantly changing and higher prices are paid based on our monthly auction.
ECO-CELL will provide an itemized statement upon receipt of the phones. Your organization will receive payment within 45 days of processing.
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3. Who counts the handsets?
We encourage the collecting organization to count all the
handsets they have received. We recount, test, and determine
the exact payment amount to be made to the collecting organization.
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4. Is
there a cost to the collecting organization?
No . Your time and labor to aggressively promote your collection activities are the only 'costs' associated with your campaign. ECO-CELL supplies you with free collection materials as well as numerous support items which are downloadable from the Marketing Material section of our web site. In general, this will be all you will need to run a successful program. Any expenses (i.e. creating and printing posters, incentive prizes) would be your option. |
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5. Does ECO-CELL pick up?
Yes, and that's free. Remember, ECO-CELL accepts all used cell phones and their accessories regardless of age or condition if only to ensure they are properly recycled.
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6. Should people have any
concerns about giving up their used cell phones?
No, provided they have discontinued service on their donated phone(s). Please note that it is the responsibility of the donating party to erase any information from the devices sent to the program.
ECO-CELL Privacy Statement
ECO-CELL does not clear cell phones of data or content left on phones. It is the responsibility of the donating party to cancel or switch service on the phone and to delete any data such as phone numbers, text messages, pictures, emails, documents, etc. that might be on the cell phone.
ECO-CELL sends donated phones to refurbishing companies who often delete any content left on phones, but ECO-CELL cannot guarantee that content will always be deleted. Therefore it is ECO-CELL’s position and recommendation that those wishing to donate a phone take the time to clear phone of all data to ensure maximum privacy.
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7. Is there a tax deduction
for people who donate their used phones?
Their donation may very well be tax-deductible. The fair market value of the donated phone may be determined by the donee. A receipt for a tax deduction can only be issued by a non-profit organization.
Although we work with many non-profit organizations, we do NOT have non-profit status. Therefore we cannot issue tax receipts. If you mail in your phone and designate a specific charity, the funds will go to them and they will be notified of your donation. Many organizations will probably issue receipts automatically. If they do not, you should contact the charitable organization directly.
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8. Do you work with organizations
that already have a stockpile of used cell phones they would
like to get paid for and just need them picked up?
Yes! We have worked with a number of partners who already had phones. Just fill out our Registration
Form (Select 'Collection Only' under Type of Registration)
and send it back to us. We’ll then contact you about
arranging for our free pick up.
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9. Why should people recycle
their cell phone(s)?
There are over 150 million cell phones in use in the United States. According to an EPA financed study, by the year 2005 there will be 700 million 'retired' cell phones in this country and of these more than 70% will be in drawers in homes and businesses.
Cell phones and their accessories contain many toxic substances such as arsenic, antimony, cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead and zinc. Some of these hazardous substances, like cadmium, pose serious threats to the environment and public health.
By teaming with ECO-CELL, you can be assured that all of the cell phones and accessories you collect will be reused or properly recycled.
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10. How are the phones we
collect reused?
Reusable phones are sold "handset only" to companies that refurbish these phones and redistribute them into developing markets such as Latin America for use by first-time, low income users.
A portion of the workable phones are donated to local Hospitals for use by patients needing cell phones for emergency 911 calls. They are delivered by ECO-CELL with a charger and battery.
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11. What happens to the
phones and batteries which cannot be reused?
Cell phones with no resale value will be sent to Umicore. ECO-CELL also makes use of its partnership with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation to ensure the proper disposal of batteries. Chargers are kitted with the cell phones that go to charitable organizations for emergency use, sold to recyclers, or disposed of properly.
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12. What happens to the
accessories that we send to ECO-CELL?
Accessories with no resale value are recycled at UMICORE.
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13. How does ECO-CELL use
the information it collects from its Partners?
Any and all information collected by ECO-CELL about our Partners is solely for its use to contact them in order to support their collection campaign. Under no circumstances will ECO-CELL ever sell, rent or share any information we are provided with any other third party.
In addition, ECO-CELL promises that it will only contact its Partners about relevant information related to our collection program.
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14. Who do I contact, if
I have additional questions?
You may contact ECO-CELL directly. Write us at program@eco-cell.com
or call us at (502) 896-4398 or (888) 326-3357.
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15. How do I sign up?
Just fill out our online Registration
Form and send it back to us or call
us.
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