Senator Carlucci Announces Cell Phone Collection Program

Nanuet, NY (March 12, 2012) – Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Orange) today announced that his office will be hosting a cell phone collection program at his district office, located at 95 South Middletown Road in Nanuet. 

The Senator has partnered with Earthworks, a national environmental nonprofit organization, to take part in its Recycle My Cell Phone Campaign that seeks to increase the sub-par rate of cell phone recycling among consumers.  Currently, industry and other collection campaigns combined only recycle 10% of retired cell phones.

“I am thrilled to take part in a national effort that seeks to not only educate consumers about the importance of recycling unwanted and unused electronics, but it will make an immediate impact that protects the health of our environment,” said Senator Carlucci. 

Residents are encouraged to stop by and drop off their unwanted electronics, including chargers and cases.  All makes and models of cell phones are equally accepted.

In the United States alone, more than 500 million used cell phones sit on shelves or in our landfills, with an additional 130 million added this year.  Cell phones today contain toxic materials like lead, mercury and arsenic that can pollute the air, land and water.  Today, less than 2% of cell phones are recycled.

Earthworks works exclusively on resource extraction issues and is dedicated to promoting public and consumer awareness of the connection between products, their source, and the impacts of their use.

For more information, please contact the Senator’s office at (845) 623-3627 or email carlucci@nysenate.gov.

# # #