Fifty-five pounds of old cell phones and handheld devices have been provided to EcoCell for recycling since October, when Suffield Rotary and their Suffield High School Interact Club began the handheld electronic device recycling program. These handheld electronic devices contain a material called tantalum that is derived from the mineral Col-Tan (columbite-tantalite). Coltan is destructively mined in central Africa, which happens to be where animals like chimpanzees, gorillas, mandrills and okapi live. We thank you for the generous donation of your old devices which will aid in the preservation of the animals of central Africa!
Drop your devices in the locked bins located at Kent Memorial Library, the Senior Center, inside the front door of the Town Hall, the Suffield High School office and the lobby of Windsor Federal Bank. Your old cell phones, Smart phones, iPods or other MP3 players, iPads or other tablets, WIFI hot spots, handheld gaming devices, GPS, electronic accessories such as chargers, Bluetooth headsets, etc. will make a difference in the preservation of the habitat and survival of the gorillas and other animals found in central Africa.
Cell phones and their accessories contain a large number of hazardous substances and toxic materials. These toxins include arsenic, beryllium, cadmium and lead. When thrown away, these electronics make their way to landfills where these contaminates can leach into the ground and waterways contaminating natural resources and polluting wildlife habitat.
Clean out those old devices from your home and help preserve our planet!