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Sprint Nextel Reminds California Residents to Recycle Old Wireless Phones; Sprint Project Connect(SM) Meets Standards of California's New Cell Phone Recycling Act

Posted on: Thursday, 29 June 2006, 15:00 CDT

Sprint (NYSE:S) is reminding California residents to help protect the environment by dropping off their no-longer-used wireless phones and batteries, regardless of make or model, at Sprint retail stores statewide. Beginning July 1, all wireless retailers will be required by the California Cell Phone Recycling Act to accept cell phones and batteries for recycling. Sprint Project Connect(SM), being one of the first nationwide wireless recycling programs, already meets the standards imposed by the new law.

Since 2001, Sprint Nextel has collected nearly seven million wireless devices that otherwise would have ended up in landfills. "For Sprint Nextel, the new law simply means business as usual," said Mark Krantz, Sprint Nextel regional vice president. "We take our environmental commitment seriously and wireless recycling has long been an integral part of that commitment. We've already kept millions of phones out of the waste stream and we remain dedicated to collecting many more."

Rather than allow old phones to go to waste, Sprint works with vendors that specialize in recycling wireless phones into common commercial products such as replacement automotive dashboards or bumpers and rechargeable battery packs, for example. "As a leader for socially responsible solutions to cell phone waste, we are constantly seeking creative ways to re-use every piece of our wireless devices and reduce environmental impact," said Gary Moore, Sprint Nextel manager, service and repair. "As we continue to enhance our recycling program, we look forward to exploring partnerships that will help improve our process and identify new and better ways to recycle end-of-life wireless phones."

In addition to helping the environment, recycling a cell phone with Sprint also benefits education. Handsets that can be reconditioned are resold with net proceeds from Sprint Project Connect going to benefit K-12 education programs. The program's mission is to increase student achievement, family involvement and educator development. Since Sprint Project Connect's inception, the program has raised more than $3 million for charitable programs.

"Donating your wireless phone to Sprint Project Connect isn't just beneficial for the environment. By contributing, you're actually turning 'one person's trash into another person's treasure.'" Ralph Reid, Sprint Nextel's vice president of corporate social responsibility. "The dollars generated from Sprint Project Connect support excellence in education and help ensure a brighter future for our children."

Sprint Project Connect collection boxes can be found at Sprint stores throughout California. Handset and accessory donations are also accepted through the mail. Free, postage-paid shipping labels are available online. More information about Sprint Project Connect can be found by visiting www.sprint.com/projectconnect.

About Sprint Project Connect

Sprint Project Connect is a nationwide wireless phone donation and recycling program that raises funds for K-12 education programs while providing an environmentally friendly way to dispose of used wireless phones. Phones are recycled or refurbished and resold with proceeds benefiting K-12 education programs through the Sprint Foundation. For more information visit www.sprint.com/projectconnect.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of communications services bringing mobility to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

Source: Business Wire

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