Corporate Partner Frequently Asked
Questions
NOTE: The general FAQ is here.
Q: How do I become a partner and organize a phone collection at my office?
You can sign up on this web site,
or contact
the campaign coordinator to become a partner.
It’s easy, free, and it sets a lot of good into
motion.
We will provide you with a campaign kit that includes
the following:
- Card board receptacle boxes for drop off locations at your office or retail location.
- Small print advertisements for placement in your newsletter, website, etc.
- Sample emails to send out to staff and clients.
- Posters for promoting the campaign.
Q: Can I collect phones in my retail location?
Yes! We can help you customize a collection in your
retail location, be it a single store or national chain!
Just fill out the online form to become
a partner and someone from our office
will contact you within 48 hours to help you create
a custom plan for your location and clientele.
Q: Who will benefit from the collection of these cell phones?
Aside from protecting the environment, EARTHWORKS and the other non-profits participating in the campaign earn about $1 per phone collected on their behalf.
And recycling collection
at your company will also help your company.
Consider this:
- Employees whose companies have cause-related programs
are 38% more likely to say they are proud of their
company's values.
- By empowering employees with volunteerism opportunities…
and other ways to impact social issues, companies
can provide employees with 'purposeful work' and strengthen
their organizations at the same time. (Source:
The 2001 Cone/Roper Corporate Citizenship Study)
CollectiveGood maintains close supervision of the disposal
of all materials, meaning it does not export hazardous
waste to developing countries, dump hazardous waste
in municipal landfills or use prison labor. Cell phones
are recycled in accordance with the Electronics
Recycler's Pledge of True Stewardship, the world's
most rigorous environmental and social justice criteria
for recycling E-waste.
In addition, CollectiveGood is also an active supporter
and participates in both the EPA
WasteWise program, as well they are a national level
sponsor of EPA's
Plug-In To eCycling.
Q: How will you track the number of cell phones collected?
Our partner, CollectiveGood, will hand count the phones
your company sends, and will send you a report about
the funds you have helped raise for the campaign. In
addition, a check will be sent to the cause of your
choice within 30 days.
Q: Are cell phone donations tax deductible?
Yes, you can deduct the value of the phone and any
postage used to mail it in! Typically the tax-deduction
value for the phone is determined by the date and price
of purchase, depreciated at 20% a year. However, we
cannot offer you tax advice and suggest you discuss
the matter with your accountant or tax advisor.
A tax receipt will be available with the confirmation
email sent to you when you donate a phone through the
website. We would also be happy to send you a tax receipt
when you make a cell phone donation by any other means.
Q: Who will handle refurbishment, sales and recycling efforts?
Our partner, CollectiveGood attempts to recycle donated phones back, usually into reuse in the developing world (usually Latin America or the Caribbean), where they serve useful, longer lives and offer affordable communications, in many cases offering families their first modern communications. This helps bridge the digital divide, improving the quality of life for people in the developing world, and even helps their economies too.
CollectiveGood recycles everything else that cannot be put into reuse. The phones, their batteries, chargers, accessories -- even the boxes and donation forms.
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