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OLD CELL PHONES DON'T HAVE TO BE BAD NEWS
BY: Mike McClanahanDec. 09, 2008
Learn How to Do Good with Old Cell Phones This Holiday
PRESS CONFERENCE
Thursday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m. at the N.C. Zoo
Schindler Wildlife Education Cen.
Asheboro, N.C.
ASHEBORO, N.C. — With new cell phones high on many holiday wish lists, the North Carolina Zoo Society, North Carolina Zoo and Randolph Telephone Membership Corporation (RTMC) want to share ideas for disposing of old phones.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans discard 125 million phones each year, creating 65,000 tons of waste. This is bad news since old phones contain hazardous materials such as mercury and lead that can pollute air and groundwater.
The news media are invited to a press conference on recycling as an easy, responsible option that can have far-reaching benefits. The N.C. Zoo Society, N.C. Zoo and RTMC have joined to use recycled cell phones to help fund the Uganda and North Carolina International Teaching for the Environment (U.N.I.T.E.) Program. UNITE’s goal is to establish scholastic partnerships between Ugandan and North Carolina schools to help students make wise choices about environmental protection and management.
Press conference speakers will include Russ Williams, N.C. Zoo Society executive director; Mary Joan Pugh, N.C. Zoo chief of staff; Dr. Randy Fulk, N.C. Zoo curator of education; Aaryn Slafky, RTMC director of marketing and communications; and Bob Langston, coordinator of the Cell Phone Recycling Program at the N.C. Zoo.
Inquiries and RSVP to: Mike McClanahan, N.C. Zoo Society associate director, (336) 879-7270.
The North Carolina Zoological Society is a private non-profit organization that supports the North Carolina Zoo and conservation. The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor.