Frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Recycle4NABVETS Program?
- How can my Chapter get started?
- What are the first steps in getting started?
- How much is each used cell phone worth?
- How much is each empty ink cartridge worth?
- What happens to old (used) cell phones that are collected?
- What is a qualifying phone?
- What type of phones can be collected?
- Must phones be in working order?
- Do I need to deactivate my wireless service before donating?
- Do I need to erase my personal data from the cell phone?
- Should I “Lock the Key Pad”?
- Should we collect other wireless products?
- How long should we run The Cell Phone/Ink Cartridge Program campaign?
- Where can I find used (deactivated) cell phones in my neighborhood?
- How do I ship my cell phones and ink cartridges?
- Whom may I contact if I have any questions?
Q What is The Recycle4NABVETS Program?
A The Recycle4NABVETS Program is a tool designed to help NABVETS members raise substantial funds for the organization through the collection of used cellular phones. We have developed a completely new approach to fundraising that enables your Chapter to partner with National Headquarters to capitalize on an untapped source of revenue found within the estimated 500 million used cell phones lying idle in homes across America. These phones are waiting to be refurbished, reprogrammed and recycled to help benefit those international markets that are just now becoming part of the cell phone community. How does it work? All your Chapter needs to do is simply collect used cell phones and send them in. It's that easy!
Q How can my Chapter get started?
A You can get started immediately. Simply go to our website at www.recycle4nabvets.com and register your Chapter today. Download The Recycling Program fundraising materials. Be sure to spread the message that you and your Chapter are collecting cell phones throughout your community, just as you would for other fundraisers. You can use this with your existing fundraising plan.
Q What are the first steps in getting started?
A Every Chapter is a bit different and every “Collection Coordinator” may have his or her own organizational plans. Here are some helpful hints.
1. Get your Chapter registered online.
2. Familiarize yourself with the entire collection website and ask questions if necessary. We are here to help and assist in any manner possible.
3. Call a special Chapter meeting and get as many members to sign the “Collection Pledge” and brainstorm about various collection ideas. Explore contacts that the members have and where collection drives can be held.
4. Determine what “FREE MEDIA” coverage you can obtain locally, statewide, or nationally. Remember the more people that know about the “NABVETS Going Green” collection initiative the more success the program will have.
5. Work with local churches, schools and other organizations to build collection boxes and place them in secure merchant locations. Local media should advertise where collection boxes are located and the merchants should receive participation credit. Get Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and other wireless retailers to support your program locally.
6. Understanding what you what to collect and setting your goals are an important step to success.
7. Email and call everyone you know. Save those phones and ink cartridges because NABVETS needs them.
Every member should contact at least five (5) friends or family members and ask them to also spread the word.
Remember, collected items can be sent from anywhere in the USA or Puerto Rico and still be credited to your Chapter.
8. Ask for help and share your success. Send in your collection photos and stories of successful collection efforts. We will post them online so others may benefit.
9. Business can be contacted to hold their own internal collection drives from employees and friends. Don’t forget your local Chamber of Commerce. They can help you spread the word and also collect.
Q How much is each used cell phone worth?
A NABVETS receives between $0.50 to $75.00 for every qualifying phone that is shipped to our recycler, PIC INK.
Q How much is each empty ink cartridge worth?
A NABVETS receives between $0.25 to $2.00 for every empty cartridge collected. Cartridges which have greater value are the Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Dell units. Damaged or previously remanufactured cartridges have no value. When packaging for shipping please inspect the exterior of the products being shipped.
Q What happens to old (used) cell phones that are collected.
A Cell phones collected through this recycling initiative are sorted into units for refurbishing and others into recycling according to EPA standards for used electronic devises. Cell phones contain many different metals some of which are extremely toxic and should not be discarded in public landfills.
Q What is a qualifying phone?
A A qualifying cell phone is one that, after the refurbishment process, can be resold in secondary markets. A cell phone does not have to be functioning in order to qualify. Inevitably some of the phones that are turned in will be obsolete or damaged beyond repair, preventing them from meeting the qualifying criteria.
Please note: There may be phones, which do not appear on our current listing of qualifying phones, which may in fact qualify. This is due to the ever-changing nature of the cellular industry. To ensure maximum benefit for your group, collect as many LATE MODEL cell phones as possible.Q What type of phones can be collected?
A Please collect only wireless phones. Cordless phones intended for home use are not acceptable. Neither are two-way radios and walkie-talkies. All cellular or PCS hand-carried phones are accepted.
Q Must phones be in working order?
A The collected phones need not be in working order. Phones that cannot be refurbished will be recycled and disposed of according to EPA regulations.
Q Do I need to deactivate my wireless service before donating?
A Yes, please make sure that you have called and cancelled service to that specific telephone. NABVETS cannot be responsible for charges to service made after a phone has been donated.
Q Do I need to erase my personal data from the cell phone?
A We would advise any person to erase their personal information if they know the procedure for their specific model. However, phones are checked when received by the recycling center and data is erased from phones before being refurbished.
Q Should I “Lock the Key Pad”?
A Please DO NOT lock the phones’ key pad (dialing pad). This only adds to the expense in processing the used phone unit.
Q Should we collect other wireless products?
A Yes, collect any wireless handheld device, including Blackberry units and PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistants).
Q How long should we run The Cell Phone/Ink Cartridge Program campaign?
A Program can effectively be used as a year round fundraising event.
Q Where can I find used (deactivated) cell phones in my neighborhood?
A There are over 350 million cell phones that have been deactivated in the past 5 years and have not been collected for recycling. Either they’re in the landfill or in the desk drawer of the homes and businesses of this country. Ask your neighbor or business associate and you’ll find that most people have at least a couple of phones lying around. Ask your Church to help with a collection weekend. Ask your neighborhood schools, local Boy / Girl Scouts, local Elks or Moose Clubs to help collect. Don’t forget your local Chamber of Commerce, which represents the businesses you and fellow members patronize.
Q How do I ship my cell phones and ink cartridges?
A Shipping is free. A minimum of 50 phones or 75 ink cartridges are required. Contact Fallon O'Brien at: 800-791-7873 should you have any questions. Complete the Shipping Request form, being sure to enter all required fields. Follow the easy shipping instructions. Please do not call for FedEx “Pick-Up”. There is a surcharge of $15-$20 for each package pick up. Take the package to your nearest FedEx location or shipping center, which handles FedEx service. Please note: We will not accept shipments sent C.O.D.
Q Whom may I contact if I have any questions?
A Visit our website at www.recycle4nabvets.com and click Contact Us or simply contact Fallon O'Brien at 800-791-7873.