Mobile Take-Back Program - FAQ
Most frequently asked questions:
- Why is Desjardins partnering with Bell Canada to recover mobile phone?
- What is the Mobile Take-Back Program?
- Where can I return my used mobile phone?
- Can I return my mobile phone to a supplier other than Bell?
- What will Bell do with the returned phones?
- Does it really make a difference if I return my phone?
- What happens to the personal information stored on my phone?
- Can I change my mind and request my phone back?
1. Why is Desjardins partnering with Bell Canada to recover mobile phones?
Desjardins and Bell Canada have entered into an agreement to work jointly on sustainable development projects. This is the first business partnership between two large-scale, Canada-wide enterprises. Their shared objective are to optimize electronic waste recovery in Quebec and to fight climate changes. Recovering electronic waste and contributing financially to WWF-Canada's programs are in line with this perspective.
2. What is the Mobile Take-Back Program?
This initiative gives Group Desjardins 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 caisses network. For each telephone collected, net profits from the reuse or recovery will go towards helping WWF - Canada with conservation and climate change work.
3. Where can I return my used mobile phone?
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 format, 32 KB). You can also return used mobile phones at a Bell Canada store.
4. Can I return my mobile phone to a supplier other than Bell?
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, wire telephones cannot be recycled through this program.
5. What will Bell do with the returned phones?
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.
6. Does it really make a difference if I return my phone?
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.
7. What happens to the personal information stored on my phone?
Bell Canada is committed to ensuring the privacy of the people who donate their mobile phones. All data are deleted from donated phones.
8. Can I change my mind and request my phone back?
Once you have donated your used phone to the Mobile Take-Back Program, you will not be able to recover it.
