Old cellphones feed the hungry, says charity
Last Updated: Monday, January 2, 2006 | 4:33 PM ET
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Run by the Canadian Association of Food Banks, thINK FOOD/Phones-for-Food collects used printer cartridges and cellphones.
Collected in more than 5,000 drop-off boxes at schools, community centres, government offices and businesses around the country, they are refurbished and sold. The profits are then given to local food banks.
It's estimated Canadians upgrade their cellphones every 18 months.
Dave Robinson, Mountain Equipment Co-op's co-ordinator for social and environmental responsibility, says collection boxes at MEC stores receive about 50 used cellphones each week.
He says the program benefits everybody.
"It's amazing ... lots of pluses, obviously, keeping stuff out of landfill, recycling it, and also being able to feed the hungry is very important," said Robinson.
To date, the program has rung up $300,000 in meals for people in need.
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