Campaign seeks used cell phones

Keep Charleston Beautiful is hosting its third annual Wipe Out Wireless Waste Cell Phone recycling drive to raise awareness about electronic recycling and reduce the number of cell phones deposited in landfills.

Each year, Americans retire more than 100 million cell phones, of which the Environmental Protection Agency estimates only 10 percent are recycled or reused. These small electronic devices are harmful to the environment because they contain lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic. When not properly disposed of, these can be absorbed by the soil and washed into local waterways.

To reduce the number of cell phones ending up in local landfills, the campaign is working with local businesses to collect any unwanted cell phones. During January, residents can drop off any unwanted cell phones (no matter how old or broken) to any of these participating locations:

--City of Charleston, 823 Meeting St.

--Earth Fare, 74 Folly Road.

--Indigo Books, 472 Fresh Fields Drive.

--Rising High, 480 East Bay St.

--University Books of Charleston, 360 King St.

--Blackbaud, 2000 Daniel Island Drive.

Last year, the Wipe Out Wireless Waste drive collected 104 cell phones for recycling. The organization's goal in 2010 is to double that number and collect more than 200 cell phones.

At the completion of this event, KCB will send all phones to a partnering agency for proper recycling and disposal. Cell phones are either refurbished for reuse or disassembled with all recyclable materials removed and the remaining materials properly disposed of using EPA standards.

Participants are reminded to cancel phone services and clear all personal information off the phone before dropping it off at the participating locations.

Call 579-7501 or e-mail scalesj@ci.charleston.sc.us.