The industry-funded website processed more than 1,000 phones and signed up more than 150 participants in first week

Folsom, CA (PRWEB) May 14, 2005 -- RecycleForCalifornia.com, an industry-funded statewide cell phone recycling initiative, is off to an impressive start, processing more than 1,000 old cell phones in its first week of operation.

A spokesman for RecycleForCalifornia.com said today that more than 150 businesses, municipalities and non-profit organizations have signed up to participate in the program since it was launched on Earth Day, April 22. The program collects old cell phones from consumers and program participants throughout the state. Phones are then reused or recycled in an environmentally responsible manner.

"We are very excited about this very rapid beginning," said Conrad Melancon, program director for RecycleForCalifornia.com. "Businesses, non-profits and governmental agencies can see the significant value of this program and are lining up to take part."

The RecycleForCalifornia.com website offers a channel through which individuals and organizations may turn in old cell phones to help keep toxins and hazardous chemicals out of the environment. Additionally, some phones have a re-marketable value so RecycleForCalifornia will pay for these handsets. Everyone in the state of California can participate.

Individual consumers can sell their cell phones for cash; non-profit organizations, businesses and city, county and state government agencies can collect old cell phones from their members, customers, employees, residents or organizations. All program materials and shipping are free to collecting organizations, and all cell phones collected are accepted. Cell phones which cannot be reused are recycled, with no hazardous materials entering landfills.

Melancon said governmental agencies, businesses and non-profits from around the state of California have an opportunity to follow the lead of the first RecycleForCalifornia.com participants. They can obtain information directly from him at 916-983-7701 or at
e-mail protected from spam bots.

"RecycleForCalifornia.com offers a great opportunity for individuals and organizations of all kinds to conform to the new California laws and keep environmentally-damaging cell phones out of landfills while generating revenue for important programs throughout the state," Melancon said. "Many of these phones will be sent overseas to countries where a cellular phone may be the only means of long distance communications, and others will be used for emergency services and given to shelters throughout the U.S."

RecycleForCalifornia.com was established in response to a law passed by the California Legislature in 2004. That law requires cell phone retailers to have no cost take-back and recycling programs in place by 2006. It is estimated there are more that 500 million used cellular phones in the U.S. About 100 million more are expected to be replaced this year.

RecycleForCalifornia.com is funded and operated by RMS Communications Group Inc., a Florida-based company that has been in the wireless industry since 1985 and is now a leader in the cell phone recycling industry. The company specializes in developing and implementing innovative programs enabling consumers, businesses, non-profits and government agencies to participate in helping the environment and raise funds by collecting old cell phones.

About RecycleForCalifornia.com
RecycleForCalifornia.com is an industry-funded statewide cell phone recycling initiative, established in response to a law passed by the California Legislature which requires cell phone companies to have take-back and recycling programs in place by 2006.

RecycleForCalifornia.com allows individuals, non-profits, businesses, cities and counties throughout the state to help the environment and receive money for their old cell phones. More information can be found at http://www.RecycleForCalifornia.com

About RMS Communications Group Inc.
Based in Ocala, Fla., RMS Communications Group Inc. provides consumers and businesses a convenient way to get cash for cell phones that otherwise lay idle. The company often partners with non-profit organizations that find the collection and sale of old cell phones to be an excellent source of revenue. More information can be found at http://www.RMSComm.com.