| Collection Strategies: Government and the Environment
By Conrad Melancon
As we move through 2006 there continues to be growing concern at all levels of government regarding the increase in electronic waste (e-waste) being generated by consumers. Most electronic products cost more to recycle that they are worth. Therefore government agencies are used to paying for the proper disposal of the e-waste they collect.
Several State and Local governments have enacted legislation banning improper disposal of e-waste materials and issued bans to stem the tide of e-waste pollution. There is a move underfoot at the National level to address this problem. One of the major stumbling blocks is that no one can decide who should bear the cost burden of disposal (manufacturers, distributors, retailers, consumers, or the government).
Fortunately, cell phones have a positive recycling value. This means even if they are obsolete, the value of the precious metals contained within the phone outweigh the recycling cost. This is great news for you – the collector.
Where to Start
Remember, when speaking with a government agency they are not worried about the revenue they will receive from recycling cell phones. In fact, most government agencies are not able to receive funds from businesses. The environment will be the big thing. Tell them what happens to the phones you collect. What will happen to the unusable cell phones, how they are handled and disposed of. What will happen to the batteries? If you are using CellForCash.com as your liquidator/recycler, familiarize your self with our environmental statement.
Once you know your stuff start by calling the recycling coordinator in your city or area. This is the person who can help the most. They will know what is being done with their e-waste, including cell phones, and who is doing it. You see, most agencies have contractors that remove all their e-waste. The contractor sends a truck to the agency offices and loads it up with all forms of e-waste…computers, monitors, fax machines, telephones and of course cell phones. Because of these contracts, it may not be possible to work directly with your local government.
I said may not be possible, not impossible.
If you get the cell phones before they make it to the Recycling Coordinator’s realm you have a better chance of getting them.
Conrad
Melancon is the President of RMS
Communications Group, Inc. He
joined the company in November
of 2004 as the Director of
Business Development and assumed
his current position in December
of last year.
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