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Rogers Wireless first to offer its customers an easy way to recycle their wireless devices
Feb 27, 2007
Select Rogers Wireless devices now sold with postage-paid recycling envelope TORONTO, Feb. 27 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) in partnership with national sponsor Rogers Wireless, announce for the first time in Canada, that select Rogers Wireless devices will now be sold with postage-paid recycling envelopes in each box. The Phones-for-Food program began in 2003 as an initiative by the Canadian Association of Food Banks in order to alleviate hunger and divert waste from landfill sites. Since its inception, over $300,000 has been generated for food banks across the country. One wireless device, depending on its age and condition, can be worth $2-$5 when donated, which is the equivalent to a jar of peanut butter or one carton of milk. "Last year in Canada more than 750,000 people accessed a food bank in one single month," said Charles Seiden, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Food Banks. "We rely heavily on programs like Phones-for-Food to help local food banks purchase food and staples. This would not be possible without the support of Rogers Wireless who has truly been a leader in finding an easy and convenient way for its customers to donate their old wireless devices by including a new postage-paid recycling envelope with all new purchases." "Rogers is thrilled to be the first Wireless provider in Canada to offer a postage-paid recycling bag in select new wireless device sales," said Sanae Takahashi, Vice-President, Consumer Marketing, for Rogers Wireless. "We understand how important it is to recycle used wireless devices and divert e-waste from landfill and we encourage all our customers to get involved and make a donation. Our food banks and our environment need our help, and now Rogers Wireless customers have the ability to make a difference by recycling their old devices." "The Phones-For-Food program is a great example of corporate citizenship and environmental leadership," said Environment Minister Laurel Broten, who attended the launch of the program. "I want to congratulate Rogers and the Canadian Association of Food Banks for working together to keep e-waste out of Ontario's landfills, for ensuring that these phones are recycled in an environmentally responsible way, and for helping people in need in our communities." Donations can be made two easy ways:1. Postage-paid recycling envelopes are now included in box with select new wireless device sales for Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung. Existing wireless customers can visit www.phonesforfood.com and download a postage-paid mailing label. 2. Donation boxes are available across the country at 1000 Rogers Wireless and Rogers Video locations. A list of all participating locations is available on www.phonesforfood.comFor more information about Phones-for-Food, visit www.phonesforfood.com ABOUT THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF FOOD BANKS: --------------------------------------------- Founded in 1985, the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) is a national umbrella organization representing a network of regional and community food banks, including provincial associations and food distribution centres. CAFB is the voice of food banks in Canada, with members and their agencies serving approximately 90 per cent of people relying on emergency food programs nation-wide. CAFB operates the National Food Sharing System, coordinating the shipment of food donations through voluntary transport to food banks across the country. In addition to food received from the CAFB, food bank members distribute an estimated 150 million pounds of food per year to the less fortunate in their communities. In March 2006, more than 750,000 different people accessed food banks, 41% of which were children. While CAFB provides food daily for people in need, its ultimate goal is a hunger-free Canada. ABOUT ROGERS: ------------- Rogers Wireless Inc. is Canada's largest wireless voice and data communications services provider with offices in Canadian cities across the country, more than 6.7 million customers, and two powerful brands: Rogers Wireless and Fido. Rogers Wireless, which operates Canada's largest and clearest integrated wireless voice and data network, providing advanced voice and wireless data solutions to customers from coast to coast, is Canada's only carrier operating on the GSM/GPRS technology platform, the world standard for wireless communications technology and the only technology that enables roaming around the world in over 180 countries. /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca. Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/