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 search" 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 ReCellular, the world's largest recycler and reseller of used cellular phones and accessories. Depending on their condition and age, the devices may be either refurbished or recycled to make many other products, helping to preserve the world around us.
With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished 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 partnered with PATHS in June, 2009. Over the course of the one-year (trial) agreement, SaskTel will provide a total of 100 phones (collected internally, not from the donated devices) and 200 pre-paid cards to five Saskatchewan shelters:
- Regina Transition House
- Moose Jaw Transition House
- SouthWest Crisis Services (Swift Current)
- Project Safe Haven (Yorkton)
- Piwapan Women's Shelter (La Ronge).
The shelters are responsible for administration of the phones, distributing them to the women who need them and activating the prepaid cards.