STUDENTS DROP THEIR PHONES AT THE LEW CENTER - Linda CasellettoThe Trinitarian is thinking green to save some green. The Trinity International University (TIU) Yearbook is working to eliminate a necessary deficit incurred by an extension of production, and to update technology with the Phoneraiser.
This fundraiser works by student donation of used cell phones and inkjet cartridges, which can be recycled, in accordance to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, or refurbished and reused.
“With Christmas coming up, there is a good chance that new cell phones will be in people's stockings,” said yearbook advisor Linda Casalletto. “This is an opportunity to get rid of the old cell phone properly and benefit Trinity at the same time.”
And around this time of year, black inkjet cartridges may be sitting idle and empty in student printers. Professors have complained about brown and blue ink used for final papers.
The donation of used cell phones and empty inkjet cartridges will not only support the Trinitarian, but it will benefit the environment by a reduction of toxic waste.
If improperly disposed of, one cell phone can pollute up to 132,000 liters of drinking water, said Phoneraiser.
Upgrade promotions by cell phone providers, such as Verizon Wireless, are becoming more frequent and accessible to users. Verizon customers who upgrade their cell phones are required to trade-in their used device, which is sent to a company warehouse that recycles or refurbishes it for reuse.
This money-saving strategy by wireless companies could be detrimental to the success of the Phoneraiser, but beneficial to the environment.
Students can drop off their donations at the Lew Center Information Desk and other marked locations in residence halls. Cell phone donations are tax deductible and receipts can be made out to students who include their Trinity mailbox number when submitting their properly working used phones. Phone chargers and accessories will not be collected.
A TIU broadcast email, not yet scheduled for distribution, will explain further details of the Phoneraiser that have not yet been arranged.
