Verizon Wireless has launched a wireless device trade-in program that offers customers from any wireless carrier an easy way to recycle old devices and earn a gift card if the product retains any value, reports Computerworld.
Under the Verizon Wireless Trade-In Program, customers submit their devices for appraisal online at www.trade-in.vzw.com and receive a postage-paid envelope to mail in the devices.
In exchange for trading in their devices, customers may receive a Verizon Wireless gift card by mail depending on the value of their old wireless devices. The gift card can be used toward the purchase of phones and accessories or to pay Verizon Wireless bills. Devices that have no appraised value will be recycled.
Customers also have the option of donating old devices to Verizon's HopeLine initiative, which has collected about 7 million phones of which 90,000 have been distributed with free wireless service to victims of domestic violence, reports Computerworld. The wireless company also has donated nearly $8 million in cash grants to organizations working to prevent domestic violence.
Sprint is another major carrier with a recycling program. As of May 2009, the wireless company has diverted more than 16 million units from landfills for reuse or recycling since 2001.
Retailers that offer trade-in programs for old electronic gadgets include Radio Shack and Costco.
