Old Electronics Given New Life

That special season of giving technically may be over, but Christmas increasingly leaves behind a trail of outdated, outmoded, unwanted cell phones, computers and other gadgets lying around the house. They've been replaced with nifty new gifts of gadgetdom, but that doesn't mean old technology is bound for the trash heap. The recycle bin is more like it, experts said. Organizations such as Freecycle and charities such as Safe Horizons shelter in Port Huron can put old electronics to good use. For instance, some of the donated phones remain with the shelter while others are given to domestic-abuse survivors. The memory cards are erased, and the phones are programmed to dial 911 and connect to Michigan State Police. The calls then are rerouted to local dispatch centers. "We probably have hundreds (of old phones) out there," said Chris Farnsworth, the shelter's community outreach legal advocacy manager. Reprogramming Reaching local authorities isn't always a given when dialing an old cell phone and could be critical to a domestic-abuse survivor, Farnsworth said. Often, she said, domestic-abuse survivors work late hours. Having a mobile phone means added comfort and safety in the dark. Those phones too old to be reprogrammed are sold to be refurbished, she said. That money helps the shelter with other programs or to buy other refurbished phones. Last year, Safe Horizons brought in more than $1,600 because of old cell phones. An older model can bring in anywhere from 25 cents to $10, agency Administrator Sharon Gerald said. The shelter has at least five boxes of phones waiting to be sold to a refurbisher, she said. Cell phones are far from the only useful technology to shelters such as Safe Horizons. The shelter accepts anything from clothing to computers. Lifeline A Verizon Wireless program, Hope Line, also provides phones to shelters such as Safe Horizons. The shelter received 29 phones with 3,000 pre-programmed minutes last year. In 2004 (the latest available figures), Verizon donated 11,000 phones with airtime across the country. "It's a stepping stone in the meantime," Farnsworth said. Recipients use the phones to call their children's schools, their jobs or potential employers, she said. Wireless Toyz at 10th and Griswold streets in Port Huron is one collection point for donated phones. Store manager Angelo Calderone said when people buy a new phone, they are given the option of donating their old one. "They don't have a use for it anymore," he said. The chain supports the Special Olympics as well as local shelters, Calderone said. No landfills Estimates vary on the number of U.S. cell-phone users, but it could run anywhere from 110,000 to 150,000. On average, each cell phone is used for 18 months. Cell phones, computers and other electronics contain potentially dangerous chemicals such as mercury, arsenic, lead, lithium ion and cadmium. It's not only dangerous, but illegal to dump them in a landfill. Verizon and other cell-phone service providers accept phones, chargers, headsets and any other accessory for recycling or refurbishing at their stores. Some, including Verizon, accept any brand of phone. Others accept only phones they carry. There are dozens of sites online that tell donors where they can give old electronics. The federal Environmental Protection Agency also has a comprehensive Web site that includes rules, advice and links to donor sites. Other stuff The Yahoo group Freecycle allows members to offer or ask for just about anything anyone could want or give away. That includes cell phones, computers and furniture. The guiding rule of the group, according to its Web site (www.freecycle.org) is "Everything posted must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages." The loose-knit organization features mini-groups across the world, divided into cities. The Port Huron Freecycle group, founded in 2004, has 1,557 members.

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