Donate Old Cell Phones and Ink Cartridges to "Bee Proud Bee Clean"

Do you have a used cell phone collecting dust somewhere in your home or office? Chances are, you probably do. The average American replaces his or her cell phone every 12 months. The result? Americans discard more than 130 million used cell phones a year. That’s four cell phones per second! All of which adds up to 65,000 tons of potentially toxic waste generated annually. The phones’ disposal in landfills or incinerators can have a widespread impact on public health and the environment. The toxic material from a single phone is capable of polluting 158,200 gallons of water!

Bee Proud Bee Clean in cooperation with EcoPhones, a Texas cell phone recycler, is currently conducting a cell phone recyling program that addresses this growing concern and simultaneously provides an environmentally-friendly method to raise money for its community projects. In the Cell Phone Recycling Fundraiser, the group is paid for each digital cell phone collected. EcoPhones refurbishes and resells cell phones that have value and recycle the remainder in accordance with EPA regulations. Used printer ink cartridges are also being collected. Funds raised benefit community beautification projects.

Cell phone and ink cartridge collection boxes are available at the Bee County Tax Assessor-Collectors Office located at 411 E. Houston, Beeville. Used cell phones and ink cartridges (those that will fit in the palm of your hand ONLY) may be dropped off during regular office hours at this location.

This recycling effort will end on December 31 so the public is asked to make their donations as often and as soon as possible. For more information on the cell phone and ink cartridge recycling program please call 375-2558.