The story about disposable cell phones does indeed seem to be real, as
appalling as it seems! Here is a web-
based, tech newsletter (Slashdot) that has an article about this product.
Check it out at
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=99/11/08/1742253&mode=thread). The
summary:
" A patent has just been issued for what amounts to a disposable cell phone.
No LCD, limited battery life, outgoing calls only. The inventor envisions
these devices being sold with a limited block of air time, about 60 minutes,
at a cost of about $20. Once you use up the air time, toss it."
Cat Wilt
Center for Clean Products & Clean Technologies
University of Tenness, Knoxville
At 10:52 AM 11/9/99, Gary Liss wrote:
>>X-Sender: henkelsk@ucsd-pps.ucsd.edu
>>X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0.5 (32)
>>Date: Tue, 09 Nov 1999 08:52:54 -0800
>>To: crra@smtp.ucsd.edu
>>From: Krista Henkels <khenkels@ucsd.edu>
>>Subject: Disposable cellular Phones
>>
>>head's up!
>>Krista in San DIego
>>
>>>
>>>I was watching the local news (Chicago) last night and there was a story
>>>about a patent being awarded for a disposable phone. The phone will
>>>sell for about $20 and be "loaded" with 60 minutes of air time (similar
>>>to a calling card).
>>>
>>>The tone of the story indicated that this was soon to become reality.
>>>This means that shortly (about 60 minutes) after the disposable phone
>>>hits the market place that recycling coordinators throughout the country
>>>(or wherever the phones are sold) will get calls about recycling the
>>>product.
>>>
>>>I am alerting everyone about this product in hopes that the introduction
>>>of the product can be curtailed unless the manufacturer accomodates the
>>>return of the spent phones for recycling or re-use.
>>>
>>>The patent was recently filed and no mention was made of the applicant
>>>or how to contact the company - so this is a "heads up" request to watch
>>>for more info and somehow get the word to the company that they must
>>>exhibit producer responsibility for the handling of spent units.
>>>
>>>Mark Loughmiller
>>>Recycling Coordinator
>>>Lake County, IL
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>Gary Liss
>916-652-7850
>Fax: 916-652-0485
>
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