Cellular recycling program
The Phones for a Fresh Start Program collects used wireless devices from customers across the province and sees that they are recycled. Any proceeds from the recycling process are then used to support a SaskTel community partnership, aiding victims of domestic abuse.
Did you know?
About 96% of the materials in an average mobile device are recyclable? Despite this, only 12% of used mobile devices in Canada are currently being recycled — the rest are stored, sold, gifted or thrown out. As a result, each year, 20 to 50 million metric tonnes of e-waste are disposed of worldwide.
Acceptable Devices
The Phones for a Fresh Start program will accept:
- any type of hand-held wireless device, including data devices, regardless of the brand, model, age or carrier (whether they are working or not)
- wireless chargers, batteries and accessories.
We cannot accept cordless phones, pagers, two-way radios, walkie-talkies and non-handheld devices.
Drop-off Locations
Collection bins will be set up in all SaskTel Stores as well as participating dealers (select "SaskTel Authorized Cellular dealer EndecaUI" then, under "Services" select "Recycling Program"). If you are unable to make it to one of these locations, you can send your phone / device by Priority Post Courier. Simply take your phone / item to a Canada Post outlet and the Post Master will ship it to SaskTel at no charge.
Phones cannot be reclaimed at a later date, so please ensure your cell phone is deactivated and personal information such as contacts, phone numbers, photos and SIM cards are removed prior to drop off.
Recycling Process
Once collected, the devices are shipped to EDI Inc, in Ontario. EDI Inc. is a technology hardware company that gives new life to previously owned technology. Their strength is Asset Management and extending the life-cycle of electronic assets.
With the funds raised from recycling cell phones, SaskTel will purchase pre-paid phone cards to donate to the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS).
PATHS Partnership
Often, women who flee to shelters leave their abusive situation with nothing. Having a cell phone can provide them with a way to keep in touch with family and friends as well as a valuable asset in an emergency situation. They can also use it once they leave the shelter to help them get established again, allowing them to make calls to arrange for housing, make appointments, etc. Most of these women will not have an established credit rating so would be unable to purchase a phone on a plan.
To assist these women, SaskTel has partnered with PATHS to provide phones and pre-paid cards 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 Counselling and Support Centre Inc. (Estevan and Weyburn)
The shelters are responsible for administration of the phones, distributing them to the women who need them and activating the prepaid cards.
