Lafleur Encourages Cell Phone Recycling

Hockey legend Guy Lafleur wants Nova Scotians to recycle their old cell phones and batteries.

Mr. Lafleur was in Dartmouth today, Oct. 27, to help launch Call2Recycle, a new national cell phone recycling program. Nova Scotians can now drop off old cell phones and rechargeable batteries for recycling anywhere cell phones are sold.

"We want to keep cell phones and other electronic products out of our landfills and I'm pleased to see that Guy Lafleur is a champion of this cause," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "Call2Recycle is a great start at tackling the e- waste problem nationally, and we're working on a program that will do even more in Nova Scotia."

All cell phone retailers in the province are either participating in Call2Recycle or offer their own recycling service. The program is run by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, a non- profit, public service organization. Mr. Lafleur has been a supporter of the organization since 2001.

"We all have responsibility to protect the environment," said Mr. Lafleur. "Recycling old cell phones and used rechargeable batteries is an easy way for all of us to make a positive difference."

Cell phones collected through the program will be sent to Ellwood City, Pa., where their batteries will be removed for recycling. The phones will then be sent to Dexter, Mich., to be refurbished and re-sold. If they can't be refurbished, phones will be recycled.

Mr. Lafleur promoted cell phone recycling to Metro Transit ferry commuters before the Atlantic Canadian launch of the program today. He and Mr. Morash were also expected to visit Liverpool Regional High School to bring the message of technology recycling to young people.

Since its inception in 1994, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation has collected more than nine million kilograms of rechargeable batteries. They come from portable electronic products such as power tools, cordless and cell phones, laptop computers, camcorders and remote control toys.