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Thank you for your interest in Sprint’s reuse and recycling programs and initiatives.
Sprint Re:cycle offers you rewarding options for keeping wireless equipment out of the waste stream. Get instant savings or an account credit when you recycle eligible devices through the Sprint Buyback program. Or, recycle with Sprint Project Connect, and Sprint will donate the net proceeds to support Internet safety for kids. For answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about recycling with Sprint or how to participate in a specific program, please see below.
By recycling your unused or old handset, you're helping to safeguard the environment. All of the equipment that Sprint collects through our takeback programs is kept out of the waste stream. This alleviates the risk of toxins entering our water and air through landfills and waste incinerators. And, since Sprint emphasizes the reuse of devices and parts, you're helping to cut the greenhouse gas emissions and conserve the energy and resources involved with manufacturing new phones.
Sprint accepts the following wireless equipment regardless of carrier or condition: mobile phones, smart phones, PDAs and data cards. Sprint-branded routers and femtocells (e.g., AIRAVE) are accepted. Also any batteries and accessories associated with these devices (e.g., power cords, ear buds, holsters, etc.). You may also submit user manuals and the packaging that initially came with the device to Sprint for recycling. All equipment collected is kept out of the waste stream. None of it enters landfills or waste incinerators.
Since 2001, we've collected more than 20 million phones for wireless reuse and recycling through Sprint’s takeback programs. Sprint collections have grown at an average annual rate of 13% during the last five years. Also, Sprint was the first in the industry to set an ambitious and measurable long-term goal. By 2017, Sprint intends to collect nine phones for reuse and recycling for every 10 phones that we sell - a 90% collection rate.
Sprint’s collection rate of phones for reuse and recycling was 42% in 2009. While this was up from a collection rate of 34% in 2008, it still leaves a gap of 48% to cover by 2017. The largest obstacle to wireless recycling today is lack of awareness, followed by the need for incentives. Many people are unaware that phones and other wireless equipment can be reused or recycled or of what their local options are for recycling electronics. Sprint is committed to raising awareness through participation in the EPA's Plug-In To eCycling National Cell Phone Recycling Week and frequent communications to our customers. In 2010, Sprint also became the first major wireless carrier in the U.S. to offer customers instant savings in store for recycling any eligible wireless device regardless of carrier. Sprint is committed to finding new and innovative ways to spread the word about the ease and benefits of wireless recycling and will continue to make wireless recycling even more compelling and convenient.
Phones and other equipment (e.g., batteries, data cards, femtocells, and routers) are tested and sorted according to their condition. Most are functional and are in demand. Sprint invests significant resources to clean, repair, refurbish, and update the software on the devices so they may be reused. Non-functional or obsolete equipment, non-recoverable parts, accessories, packaging, and paper products are recycled for base materials. Those materials, which include precious metals, plastics, and paper, are given a second life. They're used to manufacture a wide variety of new products ranging from jewelry and electronics to automotive parts and battery packs.
All of Sprint’s recycling vendors are contractually obligated to follow Sprint’s Zer0 e-Waste policy (no dumping, land filling or waste incineration). All recycling is conducted in facilities that are ISO 14001-certified and operated in OECD (developed) countries, and in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations. Sprint regularly audits these operations to confirm compliance with these obligations.
To prepare your phone, it is important to take a few simple steps:
1. Transfer service to a new device or deactivate service.Most Sprint retail stores have the ability to transfer contacts from one phone to another. Additionally, Sprint recommends a few other backup options for customers who still have service on the phone that will be recycled. Most Sprint CDMA phones support Wireless Backup that you can subscribe to directly from the phone. A few Sprint phones, including the Samsung Instinct, support Sprint Mobile Sync. For Nextel Direct Connect iDEN phones, you may sign up for MyNextel Address Book. Another option, if you've replaced your old Nextel Direct Connect iDEN phone with a new one, is simply transferring the SIM card from the old phone to the new one.
Sprint’s recycling vendors are instructed to erase all user data (e.g. contacts, calendar entries, memos, notes, photos, music, emails, text messages, etc.) from phones collected through Sprint Buyback and Sprint Project Connect if the phones will be refurbished and reused. Data on any remaining phones is destroyed through the recycling process as the phones are dismantled and reduced to their base materials (e.g., plastics and metals). However, as with any matter involving privacy, it's best to be precautious. For your protection, Sprint recommends that you erase all personal and work-related data from the phone before submitting it for recycling. This is especially important for PDAs and other smart phones. Sprint recommends that you consult the owner's manual for your phone or the manufacturer's web site for instructions on how to remove the data on your device. Another free resource that you may find helpful is the Data Eraser available online through ReCellular.
Federal Department of Transportation suggests that all batteries be turned on until fully discharged or drained. Once the battery is fully discharged or drained, reattach the battery to the wireless device. If your shipment includes loose phone batteries, please place tape over the terminal ends.
Yes. We encourage environmentally safe disposal of all wireless electronic products. If you do not have the ability to dispose of these items appropriately, we encourage you to bring them into the store or send them in with your device(s). However, no additional incentive is offered for accessories.
If valuable parts can be salvaged, they will be used to fix broken devices. Any obsolete or non-functioning devices or parts that remain will be dismantled. Base materials such as plastics and metals will be recycled and used again in the manufacturing of new products. All Sprint recycling is conducted in facilities that are ISO 14001-certified and operated in OECD (developed) countries, and in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations.
U.S. Postal Service packages can be dropped off at any U.S. Postal Service pickup or Mail box including your home.
Not at this time.
The Sprint Buyback program collects unwanted wireless phones and data cards regardless of carrier or manufacturer. Many of these devices are eligible for instant savings toward the purchase of a new device or accessories in Sprint stores or credit toward your existing Sprint account through the Sprint Buyback website. Sprint has partnered with several innovative, eco-friendly companies to reuse and recycle collected devices to help keep electronic waste from piling up in landfills.
To reward customers for recycling their unwanted wireless equipment with Sprint, so we can properly reuse or recycle it - protecting our environment for future generations.
If you are new or existing Sprint customer and have eligible phones, regardless of carrier, the Sprint Buyback program will offer you a financial reward for recycling them. On average customers receive $30 per phone with values ranging from $5 - 250.
. Sprint Store: Visit your local Sprint store to see if your current device qualifies for instant savings toward a new Sprint device or accessories. Sprint will "buy back" up to three eligible devices per year, for every device upgrade or new line of service you purchase in our retail stores.Your Sprint bill or online account will contain both the account number and your mobile phone number.
Once the quote is generated, the price is locked and will not change. It is valid for 45 days.
Sprint is offering a trade-in credit through Sprint Buyback for many devices from other carriers. You can check eligibility and the trade-in amount online. If your device does not qualify for a credit, you can still recycle it with Sprint Project Connect.
Instructions are posted on the website. A prepaid shipping label can be printed and attached to the shipping box of your choice. Please ship your equipment with the battery attached. Note that the shipping label is pre-addressed and will ship only to the Sprint Recycling Warehouse. You must use this shipping label when sending your equipment. Sprint cannot apply an account credit until the equipment has been received. The device must meet the program criteria including: correct model, powers up, contains no loose internal components, has no obvious damage beyond normal wear and tear, and includes the battery.
Sprint Project Connect is a free recycling service for anyone who has wireless phones, batteries, accessories and data cards they no longer use. Sprint accepts all makes and models, regardless of carrier or condition. The collected equipment is sold for reuse or recycling. All net proceeds are used to support online safety for kids through Sprint’s 4NetSafety program, in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the National Education Association Health Information Network, and others.
Sprint includes a free, postage-paid recycling envelope in-the-box with most new phones and data cards that Sprint sells. Envelopes are also available at the retail counter in Sprint stores. In addition, you can print a free, pre-paid shipping label online right now by clicking here. Before you send your phone to Sprint, remove or transfer any personal information you have on it. Click on the following for information on how to remove or transfer personal information.
We recommend using a pre-paid shipping label. You can print them for free from the Sprint Interactive Center (touch screen) in Sprint stores or online right now by clicking here.
Sprint Project Connect ("Program") is a wireless collection program that is available to everyone on www.sprint.com and related websites or through collection bags. Through the Program, you can give any wireless device to Sprint for Sprint to reuse or recycle with no credit or monetary benefit to you in return and Sprint will use the net proceeds from the Program to fund and promote resources to help keep kids safer online. By participating in the Program, you agree that you are bound by these Sprint Project Connect Program Terms and Conditions as well as any other written services and transaction materials that Sprint may provide you with or refer you to and any confirmation materials that Sprint may provide or refer you to. You also agree that your participation is governed by Sprint's General Terms and Conditions of Service ("Ts&Cs"), which are available at www.sprint.com/termsandconditions, and that these terms and conditions are incorporated into the Ts&Cs. This Program is included in the definition of Services in the Ts&Cs. For purposes of interpreting these terms and conditions and the Ts&Cs with respect to this Program, "Sprint" includes Sprint's agents, vendors, and suppliers that provide any of the underlying products and services that comprise the Program. Sprint reserves the right to modify the Program, these terms and conditions, and the Ts&Cs at any time without notice in its sole discretion. If you do not agree with the modifications, your sole and exclusive remedy is to not participate in the Program.
1. Data / Personal Information Removal. Sprint typically attempts to erase data, which may include contacts lists, call history, email, SMS files, calendars, photos, videos, ringtones, and web browsing history, from devices collected through its wireless recycling programs. However, Sprint cannot ensure that any personal data will be removed. Sprint encourages you to remove all data from devices before you provide it to Sprint. Sprint is not responsible for any data that may be on devices. Consult the user guide or the manufacturer for more information about how to delete data from devices.
2. Deactivation of Service on Devices. You must deactivate all services to your devices. Sprint is not responsible for previous or subsequent wireless charges accrued to your device prior to or following your participation in the Program. If you incur any charges, it is your responsibility to pay these charges.
3. Sprint Cannot Return Devices. Sprint will not be able to return any device that you submit to the Program for any reason, even if you request that Sprint return the device within the timeframes contained in the Sprint return policies, which are available at www.sprint.com/returns.
4. Device Title. By participating in this Program, you represent that you have title, ownership, and interest in the devices you submit, and you transfer the title, ownership, and interest in the devices to Sprint. You agree that Sprint will not have any liability for the devices submitted to this Program.
5. Release. By participating in this Program, you agree to release Sprint Communications Company, L.P., the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the NEA Health Information Network, and other 4NetSafety partners (and each of their officers, members, directors, shareholders, affiliates, employees, agents, and representatives) from any and all claims, loss, or liability related to the devices that you gave Sprint.
By clicking the "accept" button, you agree that you have read these terms and conditions and the Ts&Cs, understand these terms and conditions and the Ts&Cs, and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions and the Ts&Cs.
Sprint Project Connect generates funding by selling the equipment collected for reuse or recycling. 'Net proceeds' are defined as the program's total revenue minus operational and promotional expenses (e.g., the cost of printing recycling envelopes; postage for envelopes returned with equipment; vendor fees for receiving equipment, removing personal data from phones, and refurbishing, reselling or recycling them; materials for promoting the program and educating the public on its benefits; etc.). Click here to see a breakdown of the program's revenue, expenses, and net proceeds.
Your contribution is not tax deductible. However, it provides two important benefits: 1) You're protecting the environment through recycling; and 2) all of the net proceeds from Sprint Project Connect are used to fund and promote online safety for kids.
Check out the 4NetSafety web site. It's a great destination for resources and information to help kids make safer, more informed decisions when using technology to communicate with others.
Sprint will donate the net proceeds from the sale of equipment collected through Sprint Project Connect to fund and promote Internet safety for kids. Sprint partners with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the National Education Association Health Information Network, and the Family Online Safety Institute to provide free tools, resources and information to help kids make safer and more informed decisions online. For more details, visit the 4NetSafety web site.
The Internet is an amazing resource, but there are potential risks for kids online. When teens and pre-teens use computers and wireless phones to connect with others, they're likely to encounter situations that require sound judgment and the ability to make safe, informed decisions. For example, studies have found:
. One-third of teens surveyed say they are considering meeting face-to-face with someone they've met from the Internet, and 14% say they've already had such an encounter. 1Sprint is committed to providing resources for kids, educators, parents and guardians - resources that help young people to make smart, safer decisions online.
1 Teenage Research Unlimited. Teen Internet Safety Survey. Sponsored by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Cox Communications. March 2006.Sprint has a free kit of marketing and collection materials that you or your organization can use to promote wireless recycling through Sprint Project Connect. If you're interested, just email your request to projectconnect@sprint.com. Use the subject heading "SPC Promo Kit".