Palisadian Launches Business to Recycle Used Cell Phones

Palisadian Elham Ebiza’s timing could not be better. Her company, California Recycles, which recycles discarded and obsolete cellular phones in collaboration with nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals, opened in July just a few months prior to the passing of Assemblywoman Fran Pavley’s cell phone recycling bill (AB 2901). Signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in September, the bill goes into effect next July 1 and requires that cell phone retailers take back obsolete cell phones at no cost to the consumer, and provide for recycling, reuse, or proper disposal. However, California Recycles not only takes back the phones but turns them into a charitable donation. Most cell phones have an average life span of only 18 months, causing millions to end up in landfills every year. According to California Recycle’s Web site, the circuit boards in cell phones contain myriad toxins such as arsenic, antimony, beryllium, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc. Many of these chemicals are Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBTs) and have the potential to be released into the air and groundwater when burned in incinerators or disposed of in landfills. After reading about Pavley’s cell phone recycling bill, Ebiza, who had been working in telecommunications for more than 10 years, wrote a letter to the Assemblywoman offering her support. Asked how Pavley’s bill will affect her company, Ebiza says: ‘It means more people will now be educated about cell phone recycling. A lot of people I talk to have no idea what’s inside their phones and why they should recycle them.’ California Recycles accepts all types of cell phones, regardless of age. With each donation, the business will provide a contribution to a charity of one’s choice. Ebiza, who also owns Digicell, a cell phone repair and refurbishing business at 1932 Cotner Ave. in Culver City, said California Recycles will also repair, refurbish or donate the cell phones to shelters to use as emergency phones. Ebiza is currently working on generating a cell phone drop-off donation site in the Palisades and is searching for local businesses that would be willing to help. ”Contact: 478-3001.