In this consumption-driven society of ours, we rarely think twice about buying something before we really need it, especially when it comes to our cell phones. If and when there’s an “upgrade” – as there always is – we jump at the chance to get the latest and greatest features that all our friends and family have, or the chance to beat them to it. And it seems to happen like clockwork, doesn’t it?
Every 12 months or so, those considerate service providers of ours remind us that the cell phone that’s working perfectly today is outdated. All we have to do is sign a new contract and a brand new phone is on its way!
The more eco-conscious among us at least makes the effort to recycle our “old” cell phones appropriately, but far too many of us send them to the landfill instead. Either way, we’re making a big eco-mistake by discarding something before we’ve exhausted its use. Unfortunately, we cannot expect any sympathy from our service providers…or can we?
France Telecom’s Orange Unit is one service provider that seems to care. At the very least, they’re learning to appeal and cater to the increasingly eco-conscious consumer.
If you live in mainland France and are an existing customer of Orange, they are extending contracts without the traditional stipulation that you upgrade to a new cell phone. In fact, they’re paying you 40 Euros not to as long as you renew for another 12 months. And for every subscription renewal, they’re donating an additional five Euros to the World Wildlife Fund.
Now let’s hope other service providers follow suit, here in the States and all around the world. But until then, you can still make every effort possible to hold on to that cell phone of yours, not for as long as your service provider deems appropriate, but for as long as it continues to work!
Source: BecauseAction.com
