BASKING RIDGE, N.J., April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking for a way to give back to the planet and celebrate National Cell Phone Recycling Week? With drop boxes in stores throughout the United States, a free printable mailing label, and an eco-friendly trade-in program, Verizon Wireless makes it easy for customers to recycle old cellphones, as well as batteries, accessories, and tablet devices, during National Cell Phone Recycling Week and year-round.
Verizon Wireless offers its customers several options for recycling their old devices. HopeLine® from Verizon collects devices and accessories at the company's 2,000 Communications Stores nationwide or by mail to help victims of domestic violence. The collected phones are refurbished or recycled in an environmentally sound way. Verizon Wireless, through the HopeLine program, provides wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence and cash grants to local shelters and nonprofit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention, awareness and advocacy. Since 2001, HopeLine has collected more than 8 million phones, properly disposed of 1.7 million no-longer-used wireless phones and kept more than 210 tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfills.
To learn how to donate phones, accessories or batteries to HopeLine, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline or go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnkDUsmkQlk to learn more about HopeLine's recycling efforts.
Customers looking for another option for their old wireless devices can also take advantage of the Verizon Wireless Trade-In Program. Through this program, wireless users can easily determine if their wireless phones and tablets have value and if so, receive a Verizon Wireless gift card for trading it in. Consumers can check devices accepted and current trade values any time by visiting the Trade-In Program website at www.trade-in.vzw.com. Verizon Wireless gift cards can be used online at www.verizonwireless.com, in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores or to pay a Verizon Wireless bill. For additional information, visit www.trade-in.vzw.com or call the Trade-In Support Center at 1-866-870-5446.
"Supporting the community is a key initiative for Verizon Wireless," said Elva Lima, executive director of community relations and multicultural communications at Verizon Wireless. "We encourage customers to use our easy recycling options this week and throughout the year to give new life to their old devices and help the environment at the same time."
To learn more about Verizon Wireless' other green initiatives, visit http://aboutus.vzw.com/Green_Initiative/overview.html.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
SOURCE Verizon Wireless
