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Michelle James
“Millions of mobile phones no longer in use today pose a threat to the environment if not disposed of properly. Many of these can be repaired, refurbished and distributed back into the marketplace or be salvaged for parts.” - Future Returns, a comprehensive open market reclamation program and a division of CertiCell, LLC
The words “reverse logistics” and “recycle” are today’s overused buzz words - rarely completely understood yet used often when someone wants to sound like they are up on the latest business trends. A very simplistic definition would be facilitating something that could have a new life in some way, shape or form. In the wireless industry one company has emerged that completely understands the full lifecycle concept and facilitates all aspects of the ongoing life of a wireless phone - CertiCell. CertiCell goes beyond collection, beyond refurbishing, beyond recycling, and beyond the very basics of reverse logistics. Many companies focus on a single area of product lifecycle, CertiCell covers every arm down to the end of life (EOL) when it gathers scrap parts and submits them to a responsible smelter to break them down into new forms giving the scrap part materials new purpose. In taking this holistic view, CertiCell handles every aspect of the lifecycle of a handset in-house to keep the integrity of the phone as it takes on a second, third or even fourth life. Respecting the intellectual properties of the OEM product produces refurbished products that carriers, dealers and end users can all trust. That respectful management of recycled parts is a key driver at CertiCell.
One facet of reverse logistics refers to the receipt, repair, and redeployment of carrier grade phones. While many companies offer reverse logistics, CertiCell, which is headquartered in the US with facilities in the US, Hong Kong and the Philippines, is doing a great job on a local and international level by bringing high quality, cost-effective solutions to wireless retailers in the US.
When a phone is purchased, life with its new owner happily begins. The new owner is usually offered a choice to purchase an insurance policy at the point of sale. However, only approximately one-third of all wireless customers purchase insurance. The other two-thirds of all wireless purchasers require an alternative option when their phone is lost or stolen in order to fulfill their carrier contract. When an end user breaks their phone, in-store repair is an excellent solution but not always viable especially for non-PDA equipment. In some cases, there are major issues with sourcing OEM parts. In addition, for some independent retailers, handling one-off obscure repairs can be costly to retailers.
An alternative to purchasing an insurance policy or buying a new non-subsidized replacement phone is an exchange program. Exchange programs allow consumers bring in their broken phone (and all those old ones in their drawer at home) and ‘trade it in’ for a refurbished one. This is a very effective and even profitable recycling solution many retailers are beginning to implement as part of their overall business plans today. In-store recycling offers the retailer a revenue stream and a recycling solution for their customers. The value of the recycled phone can often be applied toward the purchase of a refurbished handset.
CertiCell offers low cost, high quality refurbished phones and an environmentally responsible recycling program that creates both a source of profit for wireless retail store owners and dealers while satisfying a much needed solution for their customers.
Future Returns, a division of CertiCell, was created to encourage consumers to recycle the millions of mobile phones no longer in service. Future Returns offers an easy, no-hassle program that allows independent wireless retailers to serve as collection points for unused mobile phones and return them for cash. There is absolutely no cost to participate. In their turnkey program, Future Returns provides everything including shipping labels to send back phones. Retailers can find out more about how to reap the benefits of this program as well as protect the environment by visiting http://www.certicell.com.
By taking a proactive role, wireless retailers can really make an impact on the overall lifecycle of equipment and help reduce the human imprint of their customers.
“Recycling all of the 100 million cell phones ready for end of life management in the US would save enough energy to power more than 18,500 US households with electricity for one year.”
Environmental Protection Agency quote from Latest News found at http://futurereturns.certicell.com/