Verizon has a program in which they recycle and reuse cellphones. They collect the old cell phones that customers no longer want. Then they refurbish them and put them back into use through a program called "Hopeline." Hopeline is a program for victims of domestic violence. In which the participants receive a free cell phone and usage. All the participants need to do, when they need help, is dial #4673 then press send. They are connected directly to the National Abuse Hotline to get information and the help they need. In 2004 Verizon donated over 11,500 phones to shelters, 2005 it was 9,600 and in 2006 it was over 16,000. Verizon is one of the biggest recyclers of cell phones. The total of cell phones recycled in the year 2004 was over 139,000, in 2005 it was over 267,600 and in 2006 it was beyond 242,600. Verizon actually collected over 990,000 cell phones in 2006. Those not recycled or sent to hopeline were refurbished and put back into use by customers/loaners.
AT&T also has programs that help our environment through recycling cell phones. Theirs is called Keep America Beautiful. It also helps recycle computers too. On their site you get to choose from a list of charities in which you would like to donate your old cell phone. These charities range from domestic abuse to child abuse agencies, animal advocates, the red cross, foreign agencies abroad that help other causes including those in the service, different ministries ect.
By recycling cell phones and their batteries it helps to keep our landfills empty. Thus saving us from the deadly leaching of lead and mercury that can happen when they are disposed of improperly. Cadmium is another toxin in which can be found in cell phones and other electrical devices. It is deadly in which it affects our lungs and kidneys. Mercury oftentimes finds it's way into our streams and fish. When we get are exposed to toxic amounts of mercury it affects our brain. Mercury has been found to be a main link to those who develop Alzheimer's disease. Lead is the worst of all three as it affects the environment by entering our waterways, grasslands, and even the air we breathe. It causes more health conditions for us also. It attacks our bodies through our bones, muscles, fat and blood. Damaging organs such as the kidneys, nerves, brain and liver. When lead affects the brain and nerves it causes seizures, memory problems, mental retardation and mood changes. It will also cause osteoporosis. It can lead to heart and blood problems such as anemia, high blood pressure and heart disease. If this is what happens to us. Think how is also affects our wildlife.
Cell phones are fun for teenagers to call their friends. They have also become a necessity in our world of business and mobile society of today. However, just like many other things we need to take special care when we no longer have need of the old ones anymore. Therefore, cell phones their chargers and batteries should be disposed of just like any other hazardous waste. Do not just throw them away in your trash can to where they end up in the landfill. Please let's protect, not pollute and destroy, our earth. Below are a few links to charities in which you can donate your old cell phone.
discardedcells
charitable recycling
donateurcell
Showing posts with label cell phone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cell phone. Show all posts
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Cell Phone Etiquette:
Cell phones are fast replacing the home phones that used to tie us down. We are now a more mobile society. Therefore, we have come a long way beginning with the use of pagers. Now, we take our phones, cells, with us everywhere.
However, as we go places many of us forget that we are in public places not just in the comfort of our own environment/homes. Therefore, over and over etiquette seems to fall by the wayside time and time again.
People drive on the streets with cell phones attached to their ears, disregarding the other drivers. Thus they are being careless, this causes the traffic to have to become more alert to them in order to avoid an accident. There are now speakerphones and earpieces to alleviate this problem available to such drivers who must be on the phone. I generally will peek at who is calling/has called when I am stopped at a signal/stop sign. Then if it's important, decide to pull off somewhere and call them back. Otherwise, continue on to your destination. Either return the call then or at a later time when it's convenient.
Have you ever been in a movie theater, or other public event in which you paid "good money" to watch/see something. Only to have someones cell phone ring disrupting "your good time" (movie/event)? Irritating beyond description, isn't it? You look around to try and find out who was the inconsiderate person. More time away from your movie/event. All one needs to do to be considerate is to place their cell phone on vibrate or turn it off. Then you won't be interrupting everyone else's time. If you actually need the phone on due to an important/babysitter call vibrate is a great option. If the phone vibrates you can check caller ID, then leave to the lobby/restroom and take the call/call them back. Common courtesy goes a long way in public events.
Cell phones are sensitive devices. They are not the phones of the early days when you had to yell into them to be heard. They may be small, yet they amplify your voice very well, believe me the other person can actually hear you. If you need to yell, because you are in an area where you have bad reception, then any amount of yelling is not going to help. Disconnect your call and go to another area and recall your party to see if the reception is better. Explain to your party what happened "the reception was bad and we had to disconnect, sorry." Then continue your conversation. Maintain an even tone, actually talking in a low discreet tone is always a good practice when you are in public places. Also, when you are near other people as they don't generally want to hear your conversation. And really do you want them to know what you are saying? In today's society privacy is really a good option in most cases due to identity theft, also with the many different psychos out there.
One option when you are in some places that are public, to maintain privacy and quiet, is text messaging. As it affords you the opportunity to message someone information without you disclosing it verbally. Also, it will not be in any way a bother to other patrons. (i.e. public library/on trains).
Remember that most people today do carry their cell phone with them always. Therefore, when you are out with friends and at family affairs be considerate of their feelings. Don't always hang on your cell phone for long periods of time in their presence when you receive a call. In the event you get a call, check the caller ID. If it's not important let it go to voicemail (that's why cell phones have those features). Then you can be the hero in their eyes when you say "I'll catch up with that person later, right now I'm too busy (having fun) with you." However, if it's actually a call you really need to take say "Excuse me for a minute, I've been expecting this call." Then make the call as brief as possible. If it's an emergency and you need to leave then you'll need to explain that to your friends/family after you hang up from the call.
Cell phones are our lifelines in our everyday lives now. However, it's our choice in which way we represent ourselves in their use. Do you want to be remembered as the one who was rude or considerate? The choice is yours. I've given you some basic guidelines for cell phone etiquette.
However, as we go places many of us forget that we are in public places not just in the comfort of our own environment/homes. Therefore, over and over etiquette seems to fall by the wayside time and time again.
People drive on the streets with cell phones attached to their ears, disregarding the other drivers. Thus they are being careless, this causes the traffic to have to become more alert to them in order to avoid an accident. There are now speakerphones and earpieces to alleviate this problem available to such drivers who must be on the phone. I generally will peek at who is calling/has called when I am stopped at a signal/stop sign. Then if it's important, decide to pull off somewhere and call them back. Otherwise, continue on to your destination. Either return the call then or at a later time when it's convenient.
Have you ever been in a movie theater, or other public event in which you paid "good money" to watch/see something. Only to have someones cell phone ring disrupting "your good time" (movie/event)? Irritating beyond description, isn't it? You look around to try and find out who was the inconsiderate person. More time away from your movie/event. All one needs to do to be considerate is to place their cell phone on vibrate or turn it off. Then you won't be interrupting everyone else's time. If you actually need the phone on due to an important/babysitter call vibrate is a great option. If the phone vibrates you can check caller ID, then leave to the lobby/restroom and take the call/call them back. Common courtesy goes a long way in public events.
Cell phones are sensitive devices. They are not the phones of the early days when you had to yell into them to be heard. They may be small, yet they amplify your voice very well, believe me the other person can actually hear you. If you need to yell, because you are in an area where you have bad reception, then any amount of yelling is not going to help. Disconnect your call and go to another area and recall your party to see if the reception is better. Explain to your party what happened "the reception was bad and we had to disconnect, sorry." Then continue your conversation. Maintain an even tone, actually talking in a low discreet tone is always a good practice when you are in public places. Also, when you are near other people as they don't generally want to hear your conversation. And really do you want them to know what you are saying? In today's society privacy is really a good option in most cases due to identity theft, also with the many different psychos out there.
One option when you are in some places that are public, to maintain privacy and quiet, is text messaging. As it affords you the opportunity to message someone information without you disclosing it verbally. Also, it will not be in any way a bother to other patrons. (i.e. public library/on trains).
Remember that most people today do carry their cell phone with them always. Therefore, when you are out with friends and at family affairs be considerate of their feelings. Don't always hang on your cell phone for long periods of time in their presence when you receive a call. In the event you get a call, check the caller ID. If it's not important let it go to voicemail (that's why cell phones have those features). Then you can be the hero in their eyes when you say "I'll catch up with that person later, right now I'm too busy (having fun) with you." However, if it's actually a call you really need to take say "Excuse me for a minute, I've been expecting this call." Then make the call as brief as possible. If it's an emergency and you need to leave then you'll need to explain that to your friends/family after you hang up from the call.
Cell phones are our lifelines in our everyday lives now. However, it's our choice in which way we represent ourselves in their use. Do you want to be remembered as the one who was rude or considerate? The choice is yours. I've given you some basic guidelines for cell phone etiquette.
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