Frequently asked questions about the Mobile Take-Back Program (FAQ)

Q. Why is Desjardins partnering with Bell Canada to recover mobile phones?

A. Desjardins and Bell Canada have entered into an agreement to work jointly on sustainable development projects. This is the first business partnership between 2 large-scale, Canada-wide enterprises. These 2 companies have 2 shared objectives are: to optimize electronic waste recovery in Quebec and to fight climate changes.

Q. What is the Mobile Take-Back Program?

A. This initiative gives Desjardins Group members, clients, elected officers, employees as well as the general public an eco-friendly way to get rid of their used mobile phones. It is based on Bell's experience in terms of recycling used phones and on Desjardins' vast caisse network. For each telephone collected, net profits from the reuse or recovery will go towards helping WWF - Canada with conservation and climate change work.

Q. Where can I return my used mobile phone?

A. Members, employees and the general public are invited to deposit their used phones in the recycling bins available at participating caisses, Desjardins Business Centres and Desjardins subsidiaries, such as Desjardins Financial Security or Desjardins General Insurance.

See the list of participating Desjardins establishments (PDF, 32 KB). You can also return used mobile phones to Bell Canada stores.

Q. Can I return a mobile phone from a supplier other than Bell?

A. Of course! All mobile phones can be recovered. Mobile phone accessories such as headsets, chargers, car chargers and cases are also accepted, as are batteries and personal digital assistants (PDAs). However, regular analog telephones cannot be recycled through this program.

Q. What will Bell do with the returned phones?

A. About half of the phones can still be refurbished and reused. The remaining phones will be recycled in Canada in compliance with Canadian regulations. Approximately 96% of the parts are recyclable; the only current waste is the rubber keypad. Ways to recycle it are being explored. Recycled components are used to create a number of different items.

Q. Does it really make a difference if I return my phone?

A. Yes! While mobile phones contain only a small quantity of hazardous materials, the cumulative amount of all phones collected has a more significant effect on the environment. And this effect will be increasingly significant due to the high renewal rate of these products.

Mobile phones are kept on average 18 to 36 months before being discarded, even though many of them are still functional. This recovery effort is based on the experience of Bell's program launched in 2003.

Since then, about 232,000 phones, totalling 33 metric tons, have been diverted from landfill. Bell also collected 57 metric tons of batteries and accessories for recycling. Moreover, in addition to protecting the environment by simply returning hazardous materials, your donation will help WWF-Canada with conservation and climate change work.

Q. What happens to the personal information stored on my phone?

A. Bell Canada is committed to ensuring the privacy of the people who donate their mobile phones. All data is deleted from donated phones.

Q. Can I change my mind and request my phone back?

A. No. Once you have donated your used phone to the Mobile Take-Back Program, you will not be able to recover it.