Mark World Poverty Day 2008 by Recycling Your Used Cell Phone

The Women’s Funding Network marks World Poverty Day on October 17, 2008 by asking individuals and organizations to take a simple act to combat poverty by recycling unused cell phones.

“In this time of economic insecurity, it is important to keep the focus on those who are most affected by poverty and have the most potential to lift families and communities out of poverty – women and girls,” said Christine Grumm, President and CEO of Women’s Funding Network. “Recycling your unused cell phones is an easy way people can actively connect vital resources to those most affected by economic hardship.”

Seven out of ten of the world’s poor are women and girls. Yet, when women are afforded equality of opportunity, the results for the economic advancement of society as a whole are striking. Women’s funds worldwide raise the visibility of poverty and its impact on families, while also investing in women-led solutions to poverty on a local, national and global scale. The simple act of recycling unused cell phones turns clutter into money and practical support to dismantle poverty around the world.

In the U.S., more than half a billion cell phones cell phones are ready for recycling, and more than 10 million phones are added to that total each month! Roughly 60 percent of used cell phones sent in can be refurbished and resold. These cell phones generate the greatest amount of revenue to help lift women and families out of poverty and provide lasting solutions to climate change. Another portion of the recycled phones are programmed to dial only 911 and donated to domestic violence survivors, elders and low-income people at risk for use in emergencies. The remaining cell phones are recycled according to EPA standards.

For more information on Women’s Funding Network and cell phone recycling to combat poverty, please visit www.wfnet.org/take-action/recycle.

The Women’s Funding Network is a global movement of 135 women’s foundations, raising money and giving grants to create lasting social change through the advancement and leadership of women and girls.

Recycle Your Cell Phone on Poverty Day|height=undefined|width=undefined