Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 – AB2901

On September 29 th 2004 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 into law, which will require retailers to have a system in place to collect used cell phones if they want to sell new devices in the state of California.

California is the first state to impose such a requirement. Industry estimates indicate Californians trash about 45,000 cell phones every day, of which only 5 percent are currently being recycled. Phones that are not recycled often end up in landfills, although it is impossible to determine the number since there is no system for tracking what consumers do with non-recycled phones.

A study conducted by the University of Florida's Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering Program showed that cellphones often contain hazardous amounts of materials such as lead and cadmium. The toxins have the potential to be released into groundwater when buried in landfills, according to Californians Against Waste, a California based environmental group.

The Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 makes it unlawful to sell, on and after July 1, 2006, a cell phone in the state to a consumer unless the retailer complies with the act. To be in compliance, retailers selling cell phones must institute mechanisms to collect used wireless phones for reuse, recycling or environmentally sound disposal. All sales channels, including catalog and internet sales, are impacted by this new law.

To help wireless retailers prepare for the Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004, RMS Communications Group (the company that operates www.CellForCash.com) has set up several cell phone recycling programs. Carriers like US Cellular and Alltel have turned to RMS for assistance in setting up custom recycling programs. RMS has also developed a web based tracking and shipping application, www.RecycleForCalifornia.com, which enables any California entity to accept cell phones for recycling. RMS’s application includes postage-paid boxes and self-mailer envelopes that can be used to ship back cell phones and full Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 compliance reporting. Additionally, any cell phones that have value will be purchased by RMS from the collecting entity.

How we can help.

• RMS helps keep thousands of old cell phones contribute and tons of hazardous wastes to landfills every year.

• RMS provides FREE programs that actually pay you to recycle old cell phones.

• RMS supplies all collection and collateral materials, pays for shipping and lists you in our online database – We help to drive more traffic to your stores!

• RMS provides all materials and reports you need to comply with California Law – at absolutely NO COST to you!

• Many other states across the country such as Illinois are now considering enacting legislation similar to California's.

Download a copy of The Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 – AB 2901 here.