Tampa, FL (PRWEB) May 25, 2004 -- For most Americans, cell phones have become an indispensable part of modern life. But too often, old and/or useless phones either get tossed into a junk drawer or become disposable devices that end up as toxic additions to the nation's landfills.

By 2005, nearly 130 million cell phones - totaling about 65,000 tons of waste - will be thrown away every year in the United States, ending up in landfills and incinerators, according to a study released by the New York-based environmental research firm that is partially funded by the EPA, Inform Inc.

Once in landfills or incinerators, cell phones pose health and environmental risks because they contain toxic substances such as cadmium, arsenic and nickel, as well as brominate flame retardants used in plastic components, according to Inform's report, "Waste in the Wireless World: The Challenge of Cell Phones." These substances can leach into soil and groundwater from landfills to form toxic dioxins and furans.

Cell Phone Number Portability has only compounded the problem, as millions of consumers change wireless services and discard their incompatible cell phones. Due to the fact that each carrier applies different technology, software and encryption to their networks, switching carriers means having to buy a new cell phone - rendering their old cell phone useless to them.

Inform Inc's. disposal-related recommendations include implementing effective take-back programs for cell phones; offering financial incentives, such as deposit and refund systems, to encourage consumers to return cell phones for recycling.

In response to Inform Inc's and EPA recommendations, HighlandsKids.com, Inc., a nationwide leader in recycling fundraisers, launched and implemented their recycling and take-back program in 2002 - www.CellPhonesForCash.com.

As a result, thousands of consumers, carriers, retailers, schools, churches and non-profit organizations have been paid from $2 to $100 for each cell phone recovered by www.CellPhonesForCash.com.

www.CellPhonesForCash.com continues to encourage, offer and provide responsible recycling and redistribution programs that not only keep cell phones from entering our landfills, but puts cash back into the pockets of those who have purchased or collected them.

By visiting, www.CellPhonesForCash.com, consumers can identify their old cell phones, determine their value and request a free postage-paid shipping mailer. The consumer returns the mailer with their cell phones inside and CellPhonesForCash.com sends them a check for the value of their cell phones.

Collection boxes, promotional materials and pre-paid shipping labels are provided free-of-charge to businesses, schools, churches and non-profit organizations wanting to start their own cell phone recycling fundraiser.

100% of the cell phones received by CellPhonesForCash.com are either refurbished and resold within the U.S. or sold to U.S. recycling companies that extract the toxic materials for reuse or safe disposal.

CellPhonesForCash.com advises cell phone users to think twice about recycling or donating their useless cell phones to companies, charities and/or organizations that pride themselves for sending your recovered cell phone to third-world and/or poorer countries.

"Exporting waste in not the way to resolve waste problems, "said Eric Most, Director of the Solid Waste Prevention Program at Inform, Inc. "Recycling programs are far less developed in poorer nations, where three-quarters of the nation's largest refurbishing companies' handsets are expected to be sold next year," continued E. Most.

CellPhonesForCash.com is a website of HighlandsKids.com, Inc., a nationwide leader in recycling fundraiser programs (empty printer cartridges and used cell phones) since 2002. Later this year, HighlandsKids.com, Inc. will be adding two additional consumer products that will also be recyclable for cash.

Contact:
Becky Rutledge, HighlandsKids.com, Inc. http://www.CellPhonesForCash.com
http://www.HighlandsKids.com
877-855-5959, becky@highlandskids.com

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