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Dutchess Chamber Names Recycler for Charity Cellphone Drive

DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. -- Before you throw out that old cellphone, stop. It might be needed in the future by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce for its effort to collect old and obsolete cellphones for recycling to benefit The Chamber Foundation Inc. 

The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce collects old cellphones to help fund its foundation that works with local youth and professionals to enhance growth in the Hudson Valley region.

The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce collects old cellphones to help fund its foundation that works with local youth and professionals to enhance growth in the Hudson Valley region.

Photo Credit: Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce

The recycling effort — sponsored by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. and Quality Environmental Solutions & Technologies Inc. — collected more than 70 phones, chargers and miscellaneous components at various events and locations from September through November. 

SmartphoneRecycling.com has been selected to handle the recycling of the phones. Through its parent company, GRC Wireless, SmartphoneRecycling.com has established a “socially responsible, zero-landfill environmental policy.” This means none of the products handled in the facility are sent to a solid-waste landfill but rather undergo strict Department of Environmental Protection inspections and do not send e-waste to be refined in developing countries. 

“The recycling of old cellphones in an appropriate manner and with a responsible vendor is as important as the act of recycling. E-waste recycling has taken a circuitous route to being more sustainable. We are proud to support the chamber's program to recycle old phones," said James Kopp, co-chair of the chamber’s Living Green Subcommittee. 

SmartphoneRecycling.com offers between 10 cents and $15 per cellphone. The company accepts all phones, no matter the age or model, in all conditions. The proceeds will benefit The Chamber Foundation’s general fund. The Living Green subcommittee works to implement greener practices for businesses that choose to reduce their ecological footprint. 

The Chamber Foundation was established to promote education and training programs for local youths and professionals with the goal of enhancing the future of economic growth in the Hudson Valley region. 

For more information on cellphone recycling, visit SmartphoneRecycling.com. For additional information on the chamber program, contact Loren Hoffman at lhoffman@dcrcoc.org or at 845-454-1700 ext. 1020.

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