Eco-Conscious Operations
Electronics Stewardship Policy
To clearly state Sprint’s pledge to responsibly address electronic waste (e-waste), we have published an Electronics Stewardship Policy. A first for the telecommunications industry, this policy outlines how Sprint is focusing on the full lifecycle of the electronics we buy and sell. Click here, for an overview of the policy, including highlights of the commitments we have set and why each of these commitments was established.
EPA Commitment
On July 20, 2011, Sprint took its commitment to safely manage used electronics a step further. Sprint CEO Dan Hesse joined heads of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the White House Council for Environmental Quality and the General Services Administration in Austin , Tex. , for the unveiling of the federal government's new "National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship". At the event Sprint signed a statement on shared principles with the EPA and a voluntary commitment to promote the use of certified recyclers, provide downstream assurance, and increase the transparency of its recycling operations. Click here to view a summary of the key commitments Sprint has made above and beyond its existing Electronics Stewardship Policy and publication of Sprint's 2010 results.
Reuse
Sprint places a high priority on reuse. Reuse conserves more energy and raw materials than recycling, as it reduces the need to manufacture new phones.
- More than 90% of the nearly 4 million phones Sprint collected in 2010 were reused
- The majority of these phones were ultimately provided to customers as replacements for their non-working equipment.
- Sprint invests significant resources to clean, repair, recondition, test and update the software on these pre-owned devices in partnership with the original manufacturers before providing them to customers for reuse.
- The remaining phones were tested and sold for reuse by other carriers in the U.S. and abroad.
- Many of these devices provide individuals in developing countries with access to low-cost wireless communications which can help raise their standard of living.
- Sprint’s passion for reuse even extends to the parts. If a phone is damaged, we will reclaim as many of the functioning parts as possible for use in the repair of other devices. All reclaimed parts are cleaned, reconditioned, repaired and tested for quality.
- Every one million phones reused, rather than recycled:
- Saves 40 million kilowatt hours of electricity - enough to power more than 3,000 U.S. households for one year. 1
- Reduces demand for primary materials by 77 metric tons - the weight of nearly 600 refrigerators. 2
- Reduces demand for potentially toxic materials by 1.5 metric tons - the weight of more than 700 bricks. 3
1,2,3 Source: Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator funded by the EPA
Data Removal
Sprint’s policy is to erase user data from all handsets collected through our takeback programs before they are reused.
- Sprint works closely with original manufacturers to ensure thorough removal of data, including contact lists, call history, email, SMS files, calendars, photos, videos, ringers, and web browsing history.
- Sprint’s vendors are contractually obligated to follow our data erasing policies and are regularly audited by Sprint to confirm compliance.
Recycling
Sprint responsibly recycles what remains after a device travels through our reuse system:
- Sprint and its vendors will make every reasonable effort to control electronic scrap (e-scrap) and prevent it from entering landfills and waste incinerators or being dumped.
- Recycling is conducted only at ISO-14001 certified facilities in OECD (developed) countries, and in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations. Click here to view Sprint’s goal for vendor certification and its commitment to the EPA on safe management of used electronics.
- No prison labor is used in our recycling processes.
- Our vendors are contractually obligated to follow our recycling policies and are regularly audited by Sprint to confirm compliance.
"New Life" for Recycled Materials
Base materials recovered through Sprint’s recycling processes are used in the manufacture of a wide variety of new products, including:
- Plastics separated from non-plastic equipment parts are ground and mixed with plastic resins to make new products including lawn furniture, license plate frames, non-food containers, and replacement automotive parts.
- Precious metals recovered from cell phones and accessories (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, copper, brass and other metals) are used to produce jewelry, electronics, plumbing, and catalysts among other things.
- Waste from the metal refining process is used in the asphalt industry as a component of road beds and roof shingles.
- Rechargeable batteries are reconditioned to create new rechargeable battery products, or recycled to recover metals that make new products such as solder and stainless steel goods.
- Paper is captured and transformed into a component of fiber board products.
Sustainable Product Design
- Sprint is the first U.S. wireless provider to establish environmentally sustainable specifications for future devices and accessories.
- We are working with our suppliers to develop products that are more eco-friendly and designed with the end in mind. Examples include, reducing the level of potentially hazardous materials in new devices and increasing product recyclability.
- Click here for more details on Sprint’s sustainable product development process and our industry-first environmental "scorecard" for device manufacturers.
