SaskTel – Phones for a Fresh Start

SaskTel’s ‘Phones for a Fresh Start Program’ collects old, used, and broken wireless devices from customers from across the province of Saskatchewan and makes sure that they are properly recycled, so these recyclable commodities don’t end up in our landfills. All proceeds from the recycling process of these wireless devices are used to support SaskTel’s community partnership; aiding victims of domestic abuse.

96% of all the different materials in a wireless device are recyclable. Regardless of this fact, only 12% of wireless devices in Canada are currently being properly recycled; the rest are being thrown out, ending up in our already overfilled landfills. Any type of handheld wireless is recyclable, whether it is working or not, the wireless device is recyclable.

Once a large amount of wireless devices are collected they are then shipped to EDI Inc, in Orillia, Ontario. One of the divisions of EDI Inc is a technology hardware company that gives new life to previously used technology. A major strength of EDI Inc is their asset management and extending the life-cycle of electronic assets. EDI Inc helps manage the decision making strategies for the IT environment within your business. Just some of the processes of asset management include:

• on-site pick-up of electronic equipment
• double-custody pick-up for confidential information
• secure data-wiping
• on-site service and management
• upgrade and maintenance options available
• redeployment of reconditioned laptops and consignment sales
• PCs and monitors with full next day replacement if required
• buy-back options to extend electronic life through inventory resale, or
• properly recycle equipment under current Ontario recycling laws

With the funds accumulated from recycling wireless devices, SaskTel will purchase pre-paid phone cards and wireless phones to donate to the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS). These funds will go a long way in helping women who flee to shelters, getting away from an abusive situation with nothing. Having a mobile phone can provide them with a way to contact family and friends as well as a valuable tool in case of an emergency. They will also be able to use the mobile phone once they leave the shelter to help them get back on their feet and established again.

To help these women, SaskTel has partnered with PATHS to provide mobile phones and pre-paid cars to nineteen Saskatchewan shelters:

• Piwapan Women’s Centre (La Ronge)
• Waskoosis Safe Shelter (Meadow Lake)
• Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women
• Battlefords Interval House (North Battleford)
• Saskatoon Interval House
• YWCA of Saskatoon
• Shelwin House (Yorkton)
• Project Safe Haven (Yorkton)
• Qu’Appelle Haven Safe Shelter (Fort Qu’Appelle)
• Regina Transition House
• Isabel Johnson Shelter (Regina)
• Wichihik Iskwewak Safe House (WISH) (Regina)
• Moose Jaw Transition House
• Southwest Crisis Services (Swift Current)
• SOFIA House (Regina)
• North East Outreach and Support Services (Melfort)
• Hudson Bay Family and Support Centre
• West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre Inc. (Kindersley)
• Envision Counseling and Support Centre Inc. (Estevan and Weyburn)

These shelters are responsible for administration of the phones, distributing them to the women who need them and activating the prepaid cards. For this purpose SaskTel and EDI Inc. are proud partners in the recycling of wireless devices.

EDI Inc. applauds SaskTel on creating such a wonderful program within their home province of Saskatchewan; the program has shown to help the environment with the use of proper recycling practices and the proceeds generated from the program goes to a great cause of assisting women in need.

If you live in the province of Saskatchewan and would like to learn more about the program and where you can donate your old cell phone, please visit : http://www.sasktel.com/about-us/community-involvement/sasktel-environment/recycled-phones-devices-cartridges.html