– Program makes it free and easy to recycle the 87 percent of phones currently sent to landfills, while funding free long-distance service for active military and veterans –
SAN DIEGO – Mar. 25, 2015 – Building on its long history of environmental responsibility, Kyocera Communications Inc. today announced a nationwide cell-phone ‘Take Back’ recycling program, free to consumers wishing to dispose of unused mobile phones of any brand. The program is facilitated by SecondWave Recycling, a socially responsible organization that facilitates free phone recycling to support charities, and for every four phones recycled for their raw materials, a donation of $1 will be made to Cell Phones For Soldiers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing cost-free communication services to active-duty military members and veterans.
Nearly 2 billion mobile phones are sold each year globally and, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, only 13 percent of unused phones are recycled in the United States, with the remaining 87 percent going to landfills or incinerators. Kyocera Corp.’s founding philosophy of ‘harmonious coexistence’ guides the company to be stewards of the environment and the communities in which it operates. Kyocera Communications has received more recycling awards from the City of San Diego than any other company since the division’s establishment 15 years ago.
“At Kyocera, sustainability has long been a part of how we think and work, and our hope is that this ‘Take Back’ program helps establish a widespread commitment to responsible e-waste recycling,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications. “By partnering with SecondWave Recycling, Kyocera is able to take action to protect our planet while also raising funds to keep our veterans and active-duty military connected to their families through the fantastic nonprofit Cell Phones For Soldiers.”
The ‘Take Back’ program is convenient and free, and all brands of phones are accepted. Donors can print free shipping labels at www.kyoceramobile.com/sustainability and Kyocera will provide shipping containers for phones at no charge to those who need them. SecondWave Recycling will receive the phones and break them down for their recyclable raw materials.
“SecondWave Recycling is dedicated to making every effort to protect the environment and help non-profit organizations along the way,” said Ryan Rubel, co-founder of SecondWave Recycling. “We are proud to work with with Kyocera on the ‘Take Back’ program and are hopeful this collaboration will increase awareness for e-waste recycling and motivate more people to recycle their old phones.”
For every four phones recycled, Cell Phones For Soldiers will receive $1, which funds 30 minutes of long-distance phone service for military troops and veterans stationed away from their homes and families. A longstanding supporter of Cell Phones For Soldiers, Kyocera already has provided more than 50,000 minutes of long-distance service to date through past recycling programs.
“Most of us take for granted the ability to pick up the phone to call a loved one. To say ‘I love you’ or ‘I’m safe’ means everything to deployed military members and their families. With the continued support of Kyocera, we are committed to providing these precious connections for years to come,” said Cell Phones For Soldiers co-founder Robbie Bergquist.
For more information about the Kyocera “Take Back” program, visit http://www.kyoceramobile.com/sustainability/.
About Kyocera Communications, Inc.
Kyocera Communications Inc. is the headquarters for Kyocera wireless devices in the Americas. Designed with durability, dependability, and long-term value as priorities, Kyocera mobile phones help people feel comfortable with new technology and use it to connect, perform and outsmart life’s challenges. At the heart of Kyocera’s products is a belief that one size doesn’t fit all and that people should do more with phones instead of being confused by them or having to alter their lifestyles to accommodate them. For more information, follow the company at facebook.com/kyoceramobile or twitter.com/kyoceramobile.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (global.kyocera.com), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial components. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the company’s consolidated net sales totaled 1.45 trillion yen (approx. $14.1 billion USD).
About SecondWave Recycling
SecondWave Recycling is a socially responsible organization focused on taking care of the environment and supporting causes important to local communities. Started by a family that has a passion for making a difference, SecondWave’s free cell phone recycling program offers an easy way for people to recycle their cell phones. SecondWave helps non-profits by donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the recycled phones to organizations ranging from small community groups to global foundations. SecondWave Recycling’s mission is to keep e-waste out of landfills and support important causes worldwide. Each and every phone that is donated is important because, according to the EPA, only 13% of all cellphones in the US are recycled. This means more than 135 million cell phone phones go into our landfills each year making cell phones the number one cause of toxic pollution in the United States. For more information, visit www.secondwaverecycling.com and find us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Cell Phones For Soldiers
Cell Phones For Soldiers is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing cost-free communication services to active-duty military members and veterans. Founded in 2004 by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, then 12 and 13 years old, Cell Phones For Soldiers has provided more than 213 million “Minutes That Matter” to servicemen and women. Since 2012, “Helping Heroes Home” has provided emergency funds for more than 2,700 veterans to alleviate communication challenges as well as physical, emotional and assimilation hardships. For more information, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com,
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