As Earth Day approaches, Minnesotans with no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories are encouraged to donate them for recycling at any participating Verizon Wireless Communications Store in the state.

Through the company’s award-winning HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless collects wireless phones, batteries and accessories, in any condition, from any wireless service provider. The company’s program increases awareness about cell phone recycling to save energy and conserve natural resources and supports domestic violence prevention and awareness organizations.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the energy saved by recycling just one cell phone is enough to power a laptop for 44 hours. In addition, recycling or reusing wireless devices conserves materials, prevents air and water pollution and reduces greenhouse gas emissions that occur during manufacturing and processing.

“We are proud to give consumers an easy means for recycling their no-longer- used wireless devices this Earth Day and throughout the year,” said Tom Wurtz, director of retail sales for the north district, Great Plains region. “If Minnesotans make donations to Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program, we can help to reduce waste while also helping domestic violence survivors.”

In 2009, Minnesotans donated more than 26,000 wireless devices to HopeLine, contributing to Verizon Wireless’ ability to recycle more than 1 million phones through this program for the third consecutive year.

Since the October 2001 launch of the HopeLine program, the company has collected nearly 7 million phones. Nearly 1.6 million no-longer-used wireless phones have been disposed of in an environmentally sound way under a zero landfill policy, with the remaining 5.1 million phones being refurbished for resale and reuse.

Over the last nine years, Verizon Wireless also has distributed more than $7.9 million in cash grants and provided more than 90,000 phones with more than 300 million minutes of free wireless service to domestic violence programs throughout the country.

While Earth Day will be celebrated Thursday, Verizon Wireless Communication Stores accept donations year-round. For more infoimation on Verizon Wireless HopeLine program or for instructions on donating wireless phones or accessories, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.