ABOUT THE PROGRAM |
WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS PROGRAM?
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET STARTED?
HOW DOES SHELTER ALLIANCE RECYCLE CELL PHONES?
IS SHELTER ALLIANCE A NON-PROFIT OR FOUNDATION? |
| |
EARNING COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS |
HOW MANY HOURS CAN A STUDENT EARN?
WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS COLLECTION PROGRAM?
HOW MUCH WILL MY PARTNER BENEFICIARY EARN?
WILL I RECEIVE A COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS CERTIFICATE? |
| |
PACKING & SHIPPING |
WHO PAYS FOR THE SHIPPING?
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL PACKING REQUIREMENTS?
DO YOU PROVIDE “CELL PHONE COLLECTION” BOXES?
SHOULD I COUNT, LIST, AND/OR ITEMIZE THE PHONES BEFORE I SHIP?
DO YOU TAKE THE BATTERIES?
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS FOR BATTERIES?
DO YOU TAKE OTHER ACCESSORIES (TRANSFORMERS, CHARGING BASES, ETC.)?
HOW OFTEN CAN WE SHIP YOU PHONES? |
| |
MISCELLANEOUS |
IS THE PERSONAL DATA ERASED FROM THE PHONES?
SHOULD I DEACTIVATE THE SERVICE ON THE CELL PHONES?
IS THERE A FEE OR CHARGE FOR POSTERS & MARKETING MATERIAL?
|
| |
|
ABOUT THE PROGRAM |
| |
WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS PROGRAM? |
The Shelter Alliance Community Service offers students the opportunity to earn community service hours through the collection and recycling of cell phones. The proceeds from your collection will benefit your local nonprofit “partner”.
Top of page |
| |
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET STARTED? |
Enroll online or call us at 866-744-1003.
Top of page |
| |
HOW DOES SHELTER ALLIANCE RECYCLE CELL PHONES? |
Shelter Alliance recycles cell phones through an environmentally responsible zero landfill process. Click here to learn more about our Cell Phone Recycling Process & Environmental Policy.
Top of page |
| |
IS SHELTER ALLIANCE A NON-PROFIT OR FOUNDATION? |
No. Shelter Alliance is a program of GRC Wireless Recycling, a private sector company in Florida dedicated to wireless recycling. We have proudly dedicated our resources to socially responsible cell phone recycling.
Top of page |
| |
EARNING COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS |
| |
HOW MANY HOURS CAN A STUDENT EARN? |
A student will earn 1 hour for every 5 cell phones collected. 100 cell phones = 20 hours!
Top of page |
| |
WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS COLLECTION PROGRAM? |
We match you with a local nonprofit “partner”. You are also able to select the nonprofit of our choice, as long as this organization is a current Shelter Alliance participant.
Top of page |
| |
HOW MUCH WILL MY PARTNER BENEFICIARY EARN? |
You “partner” will earn up to $30 (or more) per cell phone. We pay for every phone, including outdated and damaged models (minimum 50 cents). Shelter Alliance has contributed over $7,000,000 to nonprofit causes through the collection and recycling of cell phones.
Top of page |
| |
WILL I RECEIVE A COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS CERTIFICATE? |
Yes, Shelter Alliance will send you a certificate, along with a detailed report of your recycled cell phones.
Top of page |
| |
PACKING & SHIPPING |
| |
WHO PAYS FOR THE SHIPPING? |
|
Shelter Alliance pays for all shipping costs. We only ask that you collect at least ten phones prior to shipping.
Top of page |
| |
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL PACKING REQUIREMENTS? |
|
No. Our shipping process is simple and straightforward. When you sign up with a program, you will receive packing instructions in your “welcome kit”.
Top of page |
| |
DO YOU PROVIDE “CELL PHONE COLLECTION” BOXES? |
No. We do not do this for three important reasons:
 |
COLLECTION BOXES LEAD TO THEFT WHEN ON DISPLAY: Based on our experience and participant feedback, publicly displayed collection boxes lead to lost or stolen phones. |
|
COLLECTION BOXES LEAD TO THEFT DURING SHIPMENT: Based on our experience, decorative boxes that indicate “cell phone collection” will lead to theft during shipment. Why? It is obvious there are items of value inside the box. |
|
NEW COLLECTION BOXES VIOLATE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY: Our dedication to the environment extends to all aspects of our business, including the use of collection boxes. With millions of boxes already available for shipping, it would be irresponsible to produce new boxes for this purpose. The “re-use” of boxes is essential to the preservation of our forests. |
We suggest that you use any type of sturdy cardboard box for shipping, such as readily available “copy paper” boxes. Additionally, be sure to place your collection box behind a counter or desk (for security purposes), and publicize your collection with our beautiful posters.
Top of page |
| |
SHOULD I COUNT, LIST, AND/OR ITEMIZE THE PHONES BEFORE I SHIP? |
Although the final decision is yours, we suggest that you leave this process to us. We receive thousands of shipments per month, and our familiarity with the product makes it easier for us to process (and lightens your burden). As stated above, you will receive an itemized breakdown with your payment, and you are always welcome to call to discuss the results. Our accountability to you and your organization for each and every phone received is of utmost importance to our organization.
Top of page |
| |
DO YOU TAKE THE BATTERIES? |
Yes, we need the batteries and the battery covers (a battery cover is the plastic “back” of the phone that covers the battery.) When shipping, please make sure any batteries included in your shipment are attached to their corresponding phones. If the battery is unavailable, we will accept the phone by itself.
Top of page |
| |
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS FOR BATTERIES? |
Any batteries included in your shipment must be attached to their corresponding
phones (if the battery is unavailable, we will accept the phone by itself).
If you are shipping twelve (12) or more "extra" or "loose" batteries, please
call us for further instructions.
Top of page |
| |
DO YOU TAKE OTHER ACCESSORIES (TRANSFORMERS, CHARGING BASES, ETC.)? |
As a general rule, we do not accept transformers, charging bases, cigarette plugs, earpieces, or manuals. Our company focus is handset and battery recycling.
Most county disposal/trash facilities will accept the charger/charger bases that Shelter Alliance does not take. Check with your local waste management agency regarding what regulations are required in your area. Many of our shelter partners successfully minimize the collection of these items when the product is actually collected, by telling the public "we only need the phone and the battery."
Top of page |
| |
MISCELLANEOUS |
| |
IS THE PERSONAL DATA ERASED FROM THE PHONES? |
The information below explains our approach to personal data in cell phones.
1. For phones with “re-use” value:
- For many models, Shelter Alliance performs the data erasing at the Shelter Alliance facility.
We use software, manufacturer codes, and manual resets to erase personal data.
- For some models, the data is erased by refurbishment companies
(either Shelter Alliance customers or independent refurbishers).
- Cell phones that cannot be turned on or have a broken screen are sold to independent
refurbishers who will perform the data erasure procedure when applicable.
2. Phones without “re-use” value are shredded during our metals refining process. The personal data is erased through the destruction of the phone.
We recommend that anyone with concern about personal data should erase the phone's memory before recycling.
For most phone models, data erasing is a simple process, commonly found in a phone’s menu. Data erasing instructions
can also be found in the phone’s user manual. Feel free to email us at info@shelteralliance.net or call 866-744-1003 if you have any questions.
While we have internal policies in place to address personal data in phones, we will not be responsible for any information left stored in the memories of recycled cell phones.
|
| |
| Top of page |
| |
SHOULD I DEACTIVATE THE SERVICE ON THE CELL PHONES? |
Yes, be sure to deactivate your cell phone service prior to shipping your phones. We will not be responsible for any airtime charges resulting from phones that were not deactivated.
Top of page |
| |
IS THERE A FEE OR CHARGE FOR POSTERS & MARKETING MATERIAL? |
No. We provide a nice selection of posters to our participants free of charge. You can download material in our "Marketing Materials", or call us for pre-printed posters. |
| Top of page |
