Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
WHAT IS GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING?
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING?
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET STARTED?
HOW DOES GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING RECYCLE CELL PHONES?
IS GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING A NON-PROFIT OR FOUNDATION?
PAYMENT
HOW MUCH DOES GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING PAY PER CELL PHONE?
DOES GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING PAY FOR ALL CELL PHONES?
IS IT POSSIBLE TO EARN $200 PER PHONE?
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PAID PER CELL PHONE?
DO YOU HAVE A PRICELIST?
HOW LONG BEFORE WE GET A CHECK?
DO YOU SEND ME AN ITEMIZED BREAKDOWN FOR EACH SHIPMENT?
PACKING & SHIPPING
WHO PAYS FOR THE SHIPPING?
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL PACKING REQUIREMENTS?
DO YOU PROVIDE “CELL PHONE COLLECTION” BOXES?
SHOULD I COUNT, LIST, AND/OR ITEMIZE THE PHONES BEFORE I SHIP?
DO YOU TAKE THE BATTERIES?
DO YOU TAKE OTHER ACCESSORIES (TRANSFORMERS, CHARGING BASES, ETC.)?
HOW OFTEN CAN WE SHIP YOU PHONES?
MISCELLANEOUS
IS THE MEMORY ERASED FROM THE PHONES?
ARE THERE ANY MEMBERSHIPS FEES OR OBLIGATIONS?
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
WHAT IS GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING?
Cell Phone Fundraising is a program of GRC Wireless Recycling (www.grcrecycling.com), a Miramar, Florida private sector company dedicated exclusively to socially responsible cell phone recycling. With over 2500 active participants in 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico, our programs are collectively the largest in the United States. Our participants have earned over $5,000,000 since 2001.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING ?
Our Cell Phone Fundraising program is for schools, nonprofits, religious organizations, community groups & municipal recyclers.
If you are a business or individual and would like to recycle your cell phones, please visit our cell phone donation page by CLICKING HERE.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET STARTED?
Register Online, or call us at 877-744-3601.
HOW DOES GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING RECYCLE CELL PHONES?
Approximately 60% of the collected phones are considered "viable" and are processed through our "Reuse" program. These phones are sold to markets worldwide. The reuse program is what has enabled GRC Wireless Recycling to contribute $5,000,000 to participating organizations nationwide. Approximately 40% of the collected phones are considered "nonviable" and are processed through our "Refining" program. Click here to learn more about our Cell Phone Recycling Process.
IS GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING A NON-PROFIT OR FOUNDATION?
No. GRC Wireless Recycling is a private sector firm in Florida dedicated to wireless recycling. We have proudly dedicated our resources to fundraising efforts through the collection and recycling of cellular phones.
HOW MUCH DOES GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING PAY PER CELL PHONE?
GRC Wireless Recycling pays up to $30 per phone (less frequently collected newer models may earn significantly more.)
DOES GRC WIRELESS RECYCLING PAY FOR ALL CELL PHONES?
Yes. We pay a minimum of $.50 for all phones, regardless of age or condition.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO EARN $200 PER PHONE?
We are aware that some recycling programs advertise “up to $200 per phone.” However, these models are the current models sold by cellular companies, and it is highly unlikely, if not impossible, that you will collect these phones from your community. As such, we believe it is misleading to make these claims. With the majority of collectable phones falling in the $2-$10 range, we are more comfortable with “up to $30.” However, rest assured that we will pay “up to $200” per phone if the situation arises.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PAID PER CELL PHONE?
We have received shipments averaging as high as $18.50, and we have received shipments averaging $1.25. There are a variety of factors that will determine your average phone price, particularly where and when the phones were collected. On average, you can expect to earn $2 - $4 per collected phone.
The employees of GRC Wireless Recycling are experts in the wireless industry, and we make every commitment to pay as much as possible for phones received. We work with hundreds of markets around the world to ensure that we maximize the proceeds from the sale of this product (which in turn benefits the GRC Wireless Recycling program).
We discontinued our pricelist based on feedback from our participants. GRC Wireless Recycling receives over 1300 models of phones, with pricing changing monthly. Additionally, many cell phone models do not readily indicate the part number. Our participants found the use of a price list to be cumbersome and unproductive. GRC Wireless Recycling ACCEPT AND PAYS FOR ALL PHONES, so there is no need to determine if a phone “qualifies.” Furthermore, we commit to industry leading pricing, and we are available to discuss current prices for specific models.
Please call us at 877-744-3601 or e-mail us at info@grcrecycling.com if you have any questions about pricing.
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HOW LONG BEFORE WE GET A CHECK?
GRC Wireless Recycling will issue and mail a check within two weeks of processing your shipment. You are always welcome to call or e-mail to learn about the status of your shipment.
DO YOU SEND ME AN ITEMIZED BREAKDOWN FOR EACH SHIPMENT?
GRC Wireless Recycling will include a complete and detailed itemized breakdown of all phones received in a particular shipment. This will include model, quantity, amount paid, and total. Our accountability to you and your organization for each and every phone received is of utmost importance to our organization.
PACKING & SHIPPING
In our COLLECTIONS program, GRC Wireless Recycling pays for all shipments, regardless of quantity. In our DONATIONS programs, we pay for all shipments of ten (10) or more phones.
DO YOU PROVIDE “CELL PHONE COLLECTION” BOXES?
No. We do not do this for three important reasons:
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COLLECTION BOXES LEAD TO THEFT WHEN ON DISPLAY: Based on our experience and participant feedback, publicly displayed collection boxes lead to lost or stolen phones. |
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COLLECTION BOXES LEAD TO THEFT DURING SHIPMENT: Based on our experience, decorative boxes that indicate “cell phone collection” will lead to theft during shipment. Why? It is obvious there are items of value inside the box. |
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NEW COLLECTION BOXES VIOLATE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY: Our dedication to the environment extends to all aspects of our business, including the use of collection boxes. With millions of boxes already available for shipping, it would be irresponsible to produce new boxes for this purpose. The “re-use” of boxes is essential to the preservation of our forests. |
We suggest that you use any type of sturdy cardboard box for shipping, such as readily available “copy paper” boxes. Additionally, be sure to place your collection box behind a counter or desk (for security purposes), and publicize your collection with our beautiful posters.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL PACKING REQUIREMENTS?
No. Our shipping process is simple and straightforward. When you sign up with our program, you will receive packing instructions in your “welcome kit”.
SHOULD I COUNT, LIST, AND/OR ITEMIZE THE PHONES BEFORE I SHIP?
Although the final decision is yours, we suggest that you leave this process to us. We receive thousands of shipments per month, and our familiarity with the product makes it easier for us to process (and lightens your burden). As stated above, you will receive an itemized breakdown with your payment, and you are always welcome to call to discuss the results. Our accountability to you and your organization for each and every phone received is of utmost importance to our organization.
Yes, we need the batteries and the battery covers (battery covers are the plastic “back” of the phone that covers the battery.)
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DO YOU TAKE OTHER ACCESSORIES (TRANSFORMERS, CHARGING BASES, ETC.)?
As a general rule, we do not accept transformers, charging bases, cigarette plugs, earpieces, or manuals. Our company focus is handset and battery recycling.
Most county disposal/trash facilities will accept the charger/charger bases that GRC Wireless Recycling does not take. Check with your local waste management agency regarding what regulations are required in your area. Many of our participants successfully minimize the collection of these items when the product is actually collected, by telling the public "we only need the phone and the battery."
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HOW OFTEN CAN WE SHIP YOU PHONES?
We appreciate it if you wait until your collection box is full before shipping to us.
MISCELLANEOUS
IS THE MEMORY ERASED FROM THE PHONES?
The "memory" in the phones is erased during the reuse/reactivation process. The information below explains the procedures involved.
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Activation Test: |
Viable phones are "activation" tested. An activation test determines if the phone is currently active with an operator (AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) If an active phone is found (which is rare, far less than 1%), the phone is immediately deactivated or recycled. |
Reprogramming: |
The memory on the phones is erased during the reprogramming process performed by the selected refurbishment & distribution partners of GRC Wireless Recycling. (Industry FACT - in order for a retired phone to be reused, various country and operator codes MUST be programmed into the phones. This process, which is usually done by a computer, erases all prior user data.) |
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Refining: |
Non-viable phones are crushed and shredded by smelters that pledge the most environmentally responsible recycling procedures. Click here to learn more about GRC Wireless Recycling's pledge to the environment. |
ARE THERE ANY MEMBERSHIPS FEES OR OBLIGATIONS?
No. There are no membership fees, forms, obligations, or time limits.