Old cell phones put to new use

By Samantha Pirc, Campus Life writer

May 19, 2008 | 11 a.m.

For many students, having a cell phone on them at all times has become a necessity. Cell phones are like extra limbs that, fortunately, can be replaced and often are.

Staying up on the latest technology or getting that cute new pink SLVR can be costly, but a bigger dilemma comes when you wonder, "What should I do with my old phone?" Many people open the junk drawer and realize they have seven other old phones, some so big even Zack Morris would laugh.

To help students and Athens community members clean out that drawer, the Telecommunications Systems Management Association (TSMA) held a cell phone donation drive this week at Baker University Center. They collected almost 40 cell phones, chargers, beepers and accessories to be reused or recycled.

TSMA will send the electronics to ECO-CELL, which will auction off the phones. Tracy DiMarino, an Ohio University senior and member of TSMA, said that some of the phones will be sent to developing countries for first-time users who cannot afford to purchase phones, and some will be sent to hospitals and women’s shelters in the United States. Depending on the make of the phone and how old it is, DiMarino said that TSMA can expect to get anywhere from $1.30 to $35 for each phone.

Phones that are not auctioned off will be sent to Umicore, a company that recycles electronics in an environmentally friendly way. Approximately 130 million cell phones are retired each year. In the U.S., 2 million tons of waste is created from discarded electronics, with only 20 percent recycled, according to TSMA’s event information.

DiMarino said that TSMA brainstormed ideas for how it could give back to the community, and a cell phone drive seemed like the perfect fit because TSMA members will deal with electronics in their future careers.

Money collected from the drive will be donated to Kids on Campus, a program that provides local elementary school children with after-school and summer programs.

Ben Rawson, a junior and member of TSMA, helped at the collection drive Thursday and said that the drive was a great cause.

“Save the environment. Help some kids. It’s good," Rawson said.

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