DENVER - (Business Wire) Customers are being urged to
“Go Green for Schools
” by turning their old wireless devices into cash for a cause. Qwest Communications (NYSE: Q) today announced Go Green for Schools, a cell phone recycling program that combines the promotion of educational initiatives with preservation of the environment. Today, Customers across Qwest
’s 14-state territory will be able to donate used cell phones for recycling, with proceeds benefiting public school districts of the Customers
’ choice.
How does it work? It’s simple! To donate a used cell phone Customers:
- Can visit any Qwest Solutions Center to pick up a collection bag
- Place the cell phone in the pre-paid envelope, seal it and place it in a mailbox
- Or download a pre-paid label at www.qwest.com/gogreenforschools
All proceeds from Go Green for Schools will be used to further education by providing funding for technology, improving the leadership skills of educators, and strengthening early childhood education programs in local public schools across Qwest’s 14-state territory. Customers who have any wireless cell phone – of any company – can take advantage of the program anytime.
“Qwest is committed to supporting education, and Go Green for Schools is another example of Qwest fulfilling that commitment,” said Ric Padilla, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility for Qwest.
A survey compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that only 20 percent of cell phones are recycled each year, although there are more than 200 million active mobile phones in the United States. Of the millions of people who own cell phones, nearly half are unaware that it is even possible to recycle them. “Three out of every four people added that they don’t even think about recycling their devices,” according to the survey. [2008, U.S. EPA, http://www.epa.gov/cellphone/]
In addition to maintaining Qwest’s support for education, recycling cell phones reduces greenhouse gas emissions, keeps valuable material out of landfills and incinerators, and conserves natural resources. The EPA estimates that recycling one million cell phones would eliminate greenhouse gas production that is equal to taking 1,368 cars off the road for a year. [2008, U.S. EPA, http://www.epa.gov/cellphone/]
For more information on Go Green for Schools, please visit www.qwest.com/gogreenforschools.
About Qwest
Customers coast to coast turn to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber-optic network and world-class Spirit of Service to meet their communications and entertainment needs. For residential customers, Qwest’s powerful combination of award-winning high-speed Internet, home and wireless voice solutions and digital TV includes a new generation of fiber-optic Internet services. Qwest is also the choice of 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies, offering a full suite of network, data and voice services for small businesses, large businesses, government agencies and wholesale customers. Additionally, Qwest participates in Networx, the largest communications services contract in the world, and is recognized as a leader in the network services market by a leading technology industry analyst firm.
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Qwest Communications International Inc.
Steve Hammack, 303-896-3030
steve.hammack@qwest.com
