DEXTER – As the Nov. 2 election day

approaches, politicians, candidates and non-profit lobbying organizations

can receive donations when consumers recycle used cell phones through

SecureTradeIn.com, powered by ReCellular, an e-waste company specializing

in the collection, reuse and recycling of used personal electronics,

particularly mobile phones. ReCellular is the first to offer this newly

approved fundraising option to political campaigns and their supporting

consumers.

Approved by the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) last week,

candidates and other political groups can allow consumers to designate the

proceeds from their recycled trade-in to be donated to their favorite

candidate or cause. The proceeds could be anywhere from $5 – $400,

depending on the type of cell phone recycled.

The Michigan League of Conservation Voters is among the first groups to

sign up for the program. Michigan LCV, which works to turn environmental

values into community priorities, distinguishes itself through its

accountability work and is well-known as the publisher of the non-partisan

Michigan Environmental Scorecard, which shows how Michigan legislators

voted on conservation and clean energy issues.

“It’s a fabulous way for us to make sure that cell phones are

recycled,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of

Conservation Voters. “It also helps us do good work and fulfill our mission

while allowing consumers to support their cause or campaign without having

to cut into their budgets.”

Eligible participants include all registered federal candidates,

regardless of party; political parties; 501(c)(4) non-profit lobbying

organizations; and all non-connected political committees. Campaigns only

need to pay a one-time $10 listing fee to register as required by the FEC.

Currently, individuals can trade in their phones, receive a check and

send it to the campaign they choose. Soon, the process will be seamless,

with online consumers needing only to click a campaign to transfer the

funds directly. It’s not too late for consumers to lock in dollars from

SecureTradeIn.com for their favorite campaigns; cell phones recycled

through SecureTradeIn.com this week can still be contributed to help with

the final push for candidates this coming election.

“Our charity donation program has been well-received, and this is a

natural extension for political campaigns,” said Steve Manning, CEO of

ReCellular. “Funding is critical for campaigns, and this capability

provides a twofold benefit of fundraising while recycling.”

ReCellular, which employs 280 in Michigan, collects more than 400,000

mobile phones a month. Approximately 70 percent of those phones are

refurbished and resold both domestically and worldwide; the rest are

recycled for the precious metals, electronics and plastics that make up a

phone. Phones are collected through partnerships with major mobile

carriers, charities and large corporations and through direct purchases

from consumers. Then they are sent to the company’s Dexter, Mich., facility

for data removal and refurbishment or recycling. In 2009, ReCellular

collected and processed 5 million phones for reuse and recycling, keeping

more than 1.6 million pounds of solid and potentially harmful waste out of

landfills.

For more information, click on ReCellular.Com

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