Kilmartin holding cellphone recycling drive to aid domestic violence victims

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin's office will hold a cellphone recycling drive throughout January to benefit victims of domestic violence and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence. /  COURTESY R.I. ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE
ATTORNEY GENERAL Peter F. Kilmartin. / COURTESY R.I. ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE

PROVIDENCE – The attorney general’s office will hold a cellphone recycling drive throughout January to benefit victims of domestic violence and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin said the program is supported by Verizon Wireless and the company’s HopeLine program, a recycling program that supports domestic violence coalitions around the country, including the RICADV.
Kilmartin said used cellphones and wireless accessories can be dropped off at the Office of the Attorney General and courthouses in Newport, Warwick and the Wakefield section of South Kingstown, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Since the initiative began five years ago, Kilmartin said thousands of discarded phones have been collected to help the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence and its member agencies, thanks to the generosity of Rhode Islanders.
“Through Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program, an old cell phone is transformed into a lifeline for victims of domestic violence. This cellphone drive is a great way to safely and securely discard old cellphones while helping victims of domestic violence escape their abusers,” he said in a statement.

Andrew Testa, Northeast public relations manager for Verizon, said, “Donating a wireless phone to HopeLine is an easy way to support organizations throughout the state, like the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, that help address this very serious issue.”

Wireless phones donated to HopeLine are refurbished and sold for reuse, generating proceeds for the program. New HopeLine phones are distributed for free to agencies with 3,000 minutes of wireless service. If donated phones are unsalvageable, they are recycled in an environmentally sound way under a zero-landfill policy, a press release from Kilmartin’s office said.
As part of the Verizon Wireless refurbishing process, phones donated specifically to HopeLine are put through an extensive refurbishing process to ensure personal data such as phone numbers, messages, games and images are all removed. Still, Kilmartin said he encourages everyone who plans to donate a cell phone to erase personal data before donating.

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