Youths collect cell phones for charity

The Torch Club, a youth leadership program at the Crestmont Boys and Girls Club, 1108 W. 14th Street, is joining Staples, Inc. this month to collect used cell phones to raise funds for the Sierra Club. Each year Torch Club members choose a national project to help kids get involved with issues facing the world. This year, the group chose recycling. The collection of cell phones began Dec. 1 and will continue through Saturday. \n"Not only can used cell phones go to a new user," said Justin Jackson, Torch Club staff adviser at Crestmont, "but cell phone parts can be broken down and used for other things which a lot of people do not know."\nStaples, Inc. is an office supplier that sells a wide variety of office products including office supplies, fax machines and office furniture. It is the largest operator of office superstores in the world. \nStaples, Inc. joined together with CollectiveGood Inc., a company that generates funds for charities through cell phone recycling, and began collecting cell phones the week of Earth Day (April 22). The program has helped prevent the hazardous materials in cell phones such as mercury, cadmium and lead from contaminating ground water, which occurs if these materials are discarded in landfills. Donated cell phones are kept from landfills and are refurbished or recycled. \n"Working directly with the Boys and Girls Club has been a great experience," said Greg Hoke, general manager of the Bloomington Staples. "It is great to know that these kids chose to recognize recycling as an issue that faces the world."\nThe Sierra Club is made up of 700,000 members across the United States. It is America's oldest and largest grassroots environmental group that works to protect communities and the planet. The Sierra Club will use the funds collected by Staples, Inc., and CollectiveGood Inc. to help promote environmental education and conserve current programs. \n"CollectiveGood's approach to recycling cell phones not only keeps toxic chemicals out of our air and our water," Marianne Maw, publicist for the Sierra Club, said. "But they help to stimulate communication and economies in developing countries by giving people access to low-cost phones." \nMaw said the Sierra Club is extremely happy with Staples, Inc. and its conscious efforts to be more environmentally friendly. \n"Staples is increasing the amount of recycled content in the paper products they sell. They have created an environmental affairs division to monitor their progress. The Sierra Club could not be happier with the environmental progress Staples has made through the years," Maw said.\nStaples, Inc. and the Crestmont Boys and Girls Club are accepting any portable mobile phones, including bag phones and vehicle-installed phones. All donors are asked to deactivate donated phones before turning them in. \n -- Contact staff writer Monica Dix at mcdix@indiana.edu.