Seems that the Brits' interest in recycling phones is increasing much faster than the Yanks'. A recent analysis by Hitwise, an internet traffic monitor, showed that U.K. internet searches for mobile phone recycling almost tripled over the last year. Search terms - such as "recycle mobile phones", "mobile phone recycling" and "phone recycling" - increased by 189% between the week ending 5/17/08 and the week ending 5/16/09.
Despite the proliferation of organizations in the U.S. that are ready to accept your old cell phone for recycling, action and interest among U.S. wireless consumers remains low. According to the EPA, only 10% of retired cell phones in the U.S. are being recycled. And whether it's due to lack of awareness or apathy, interest in the U.S. has yet to take off.
In a comparative analysis of internet searches for mobile phone recycling terms conducted by Google, U.S. interest pales in contrast to that of Great Britain. Based on an index of 100 in January 2006, Great Britain has experienced the following year-over-year increases in queries: 241% - 2007-2006, 134% - 2008-2007, 163% - 2009 YTD. In comparison, year-over-year growth in the number of U.S. queries has been relatively flat: 71% - 2007-2006, 34% - 2008-2007, -9% - 2009 YTD.
So where does that leave us? Hopefully, inspired. The message is catching on. Phone recycling is gaining traction in the U.K. Phone recycling rates in Japan are already at twice the level of the U.S. These countries are demonstrating what's possible. We can increase interest and inspire action, as well. It all starts with a simple premise... getting the word out.
Sprint's made that even easier. We recently produced a brief video with Outpost Worldwide. This PSA entitled, "Wireless Recycling Video", can be viewed online. In under two minutes it frames the issue, illustrates how phones can reused and recycled, and shows how easy it is to take action. It can be found at http://www.sprint.com/recycle. Forwarding a link of this video to friends and family and encouraging them to do the same would be a great way to help raise awareness. Nearly everyone has one or more unused cell phones sitting around. With your help we can get the word out and increase recycling several fold right here in the good ol' US of A.
Darren Beck
Sprint Corp Social Responsibility
Follow me on Twitter @DarrenBeck
