Verizon Wireless Gives Customers Options to Pitch In on America Recycles Day

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Nov. 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, Verizon Wireless reminds customers of two easy options to recycle their old phones.  Customers can donate their no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories to HopeLine® from Verizon to benefit victims of domestic violence or participate in the Trade-In Program, which allows customers from any wireless carrier to trade in their no-longer-used wireless devices for gift cards and help the environment at the same time.

HopeLine from Verizon puts the nation's most reliable wireless network to work in the community by collecting no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider and turning them into support for those affected by domestic violence.  Proceeds from the HopeLine program are used to provide wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention, awareness and advocacy.  Phones that cannot be refurbished are recycled in an environmentally sound way under a zero-landfill policy.

Since the launch of the cell phone recycling program, HopeLine from Verizon has properly disposed of 1.6 million no-longer-used wireless phones in an environmentally sound way and kept more than 200 tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfills.  Customers looking to recycle their phones on America Recycles Day and every day can donate their phones at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide or by mail using the postage-paid mailing label available at www.verizonwireless.com/hopelinemailinglabel.  For more information on HopeLine's recycling efforts, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnkDUsmkQlk.  

Individuals looking to make a difference on America Recycles Day can also participate in the Verizon Wireless Trade-In Program by logging onto www.trade-in.vzw.com.  In just 4 easy steps, customers can determine the appraised value of their devices based on the make, model and condition of the device, and receive a gift card from Verizon Wireless.  Verizon Wireless gift cards will arrive within 2 weeks of receipt of the device and can be used toward the purchase of phones and accessories or to pay Verizon Wireless bills.  Devices that have no appraised value can still be sent in for recycling.  

For more information about the Verizon Wireless Trade-In Program, visit www.trade-in.vzw.com.  To learn more about HopeLine from Verizon, go to www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline, and visit http://aboutus.vzw.com/Green_Initiative/overview.html to read more about Verizon Wireless' other green initiatives.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless