What Do We Want?
Your Cell Phones!

Your old cell phones, that is. Our covenant group is going to recycle them, to protect the environment and raise money for First Parish. We'll also take various other items. Working items will be refurbished and resold. Non-working items will be broken down to recycle their component materials.

Here's what we can take: Any cell phone, any inkjet printer cartridges, any laptop or netbook computer, certain MP3 players, any digital camera or digital video camera, certain GPS devices, certain radar detectors, and certain e-book readers. Here's the detailed list of the items we can accept.

Why Recycle Cell Phones?

Three reasons:

1. Electronics are a major contributor to hazardous waste. They can contain lead, arsenic, gallium, antimony, and other dangerous substances. A typical cell phone contains enough cadmium to pollute 150,000 gallons of water. That's just one phone. How many old phones are sitting in a drawer or box in your house? Learn more.
2. Every item we recycle will earn money for First Parish. We'll get more for working items, but we'll get something for every single item we accept.
3. Our covenant group is ready to expand our charter from 'talking' into 'doing.' We've really enjoyed our meetings, but now we want to be of use.

How Will the Recycling Happen?

Eager as some of us were to start our own smelting plant, we thought we might need some help. We've partnered with a company called Recycling Fundraiser. We collect items and package them up. They pay shipping. When a shipment arrives at their facility, they sort and catalog the items, and test them to see if they work. Working items are wiped of user data. Their software is updated, and cosmetic improvements are made. Then they're re-sold. Non-working items are disassembled, and their component materials are recycled if possible, or disposed of safely if not. A few weeks later, First Parish receives a payment for the items we sent.

Where and When Should I Bring My Items?

We're going to set up a table at Coffee Hour once a month. Alternatively, bring your items to the church office during church business hours. Cindie has a collection container.

The first time we'll be at Coffee Hour is Sunday, March 14. Church hours are 9:30 to 4:00, weekdays.

Who's Doing This?

We're the First and Third Thursday Covenant Group. We are led by David and Ruth Rose. The rest of us are Bob Stone, Chris Hess, Dave Pollack, Elaine Turano, Gabriella Muscolo, Jane Trudeau, and Marshall Wilensky.

What Else?

We cannot accept cell phone accessories. That includes chargers, headsets, manuals, and original boxes.

While we do take inkjet printer cartridges, we cannot accept laser or copier toner cartridges.

We're happy to take as many cell phones and inkjet cartridges as we can. Ask your friends for their old phones. Ask for old inkjet cartridges at work. If you're in a cell phone store, ask if you can have their old junk phones. We'll take it all.

Thanks!