CollectiveGood is founded on principles of environmental responsibility.  Through our recycling programs, we protect the environment by keeping tons of toxic waste from entering landfills every month.   We recycle practically all of the materials we receive, either for their materials components, or into reuse.  Though reuse is the highest form of recycling, causing the least drain on resources for the maximum benefit, recycling all of the materials possible is critical to true environmental stewardship.  CollectiveGood “closes the loop” by recycling everything from the phones, their batteries, chargers, accessories – even the boxes and donation forms.
 
Mobile phones and other mobile devices (pagers, PDAs) present a growing threat to the environment. As of 2009, there are more than 1 Billion mobile phones waiting to be recycled in the US; either in drawers, or already in the waste stream. Another 160+ million or so will be added this year and even more next year. Once in the waste stream, these devices may leak Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic and other toxic substances into the water supply. Municipalities often incinerate their waste, instantly putting these toxic elements into the air, and they return to earth in rain water. Since life on Earth depends on water, the threat is clear.
 
We proudly participate in EPA programs, and maintain close supervision of the disposition of all materials we process. We have noticed that several other companies who claim to be recycling mobile phones to protect the environment, but only want specific makes and models of phones, and have no credentials on how they dispose of the toxic materials they process. By processing only certain of mobile phones, they are accomplices in the degradation of the environment; the other phones and their toxic materials almost surely just get thrown in the trash.
 

Toxic materials:

Lead
Lead can cause damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, blood system and kidneys in humans. Effects on the endocrine system have also been observed and its serious negative effects on children’s brain development has been well documented. Lead accumulates in the environment and has high acute and chronic toxic effects on plants, animals and microorganisms.(10)

Consumer electronics constitute 40% of lead found in landfills. The main concern in regard to the presence of lead in landfills is the potential for the lead to leach and contaminate drinking water supplies.

The main applications of lead in computers are:

(1) soldering of printed circuit boards and other electronic components
(2) glass panels in computer monitors (cathode ray tubes)

Between 1997 and 2004, over 315 million computers will become obsolete is the USA.
This adds up to about 1.2 billion pounds of lead!
People, animals, and fish are mainly exposed to lead by breathing and ingesting it in food, water, soil, or dust. Lead accumulates in the blood, bones, muscles, and fat. Infants and young children are especially sensitive to even low levels of lead. Damages organs - Lead causes damage to the kidneys, liver, brain and nerves, and other organs. Exposure to lead may also lead to osteoporosis (brittle bone disease) and reproductive disorders.
Affects the brain and nerves - Excessive exposure to lead causes seizures, mental retardation, behavioral disorders, memory problems, and mood changes. Low levels of lead damage the brain and nerves in fetuses and young children, resulting in learning deficits and lowered IQ.
Affects the heart and blood - Lead exposure causes high blood pressure and increases heart disease, especially in men. Lead exposure may also lead to anemia, or weak blood.
Affects animals and plants - Wild and domestic animals can ingest lead while grazing. They experience the same kind of effects as people who are exposed to lead. Low concentrations of lead can slow down vegetation growth near industrial facilities.
Affects fish - Lead can enter water systems through runoff and from sewage and industrial waste streams. Elevated levels of lead in the water can cause reproductive damage in some aquatic life and cause blood and neurological changes in fish and other animals that live there.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/oar/urbanair/lead/hlth.html

Mercury
When inorganic mercury spreads out in the water, it is transformed to methylated mercury in the bottom sediments. Methylated mercury easily accumulates in living organisms and concentrates through the food chain particularly via fish. Methylated mercury causes chronic damage to the brain.

It is estimated that 22 % of the yearly world consumption of mercury is used in electrical and electronic equipment. It is basically used in thermostats, (position) sensors, relays and switches (e.g. on printed circuit boards and in measuring equipment) and discharge lamps. Furthermore, it is used in medical equipment, data transmission, telecommunications, and mobile phones.

Mercury is also used in batteries, switches/housing, and printed wiring boards. Although this amount is small for any single component, 315 million obsolete computers by the year 2004 represent more than 400,000 pounds of mercury in total.

Cadmium
Cadmium compounds are classified as toxic with a possible risk of irreversible effects on human health. Cadmium and cadmium compounds accumulate in the human body, in particular in kidneys. Cadmium is adsorbed through respiration but is also taken up with food. Due to the long half-life (30 years), cadmium can easily be accumulated in amounts that cause symptoms of poisoning. Cadmium shows a danger of cumulative effects in the environment due to its acute and chronic toxicity.(12)

In electrical and electronic equipment, cadmium occurs in certain components such as SMD chip resistors, infrared detectors and semiconductors. Older types of cathode ray tubes contain cadmium. Furthermore, cadmium is used as a plastic stabilizer.

Between 1997 to 2004 over 315 million computers will become obsolete and this represents almost 2 million pounds of cadmium content.

EPA Programs:

CollectiveGood is an active supporter and participate in both the EPA WasteWise program, as well as a national level supporter of the Plug into e-cycling program.