TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE COLLECTING CELL PHONES FOR RECYCLING IN AN ATTEMPT TO HELP DIVERT ONE-MILLION THAT END UP IN LANDFILLS

EDWARDSVILLE, ILL., Aug. 16, 2010 . . . If you have ever wondered what to do with your used or broken cell phones, TheBANK of Edwardsville has the answer.

To help divert some of one-million cell phones that end up in landfills in the metro east each year, TheBANK of Edwardsville is collecting used cell phones at its banking centers in Madison and St. Clair counties for recycling.

A partnership with Somtech Recycling of Alton, TheBANK of Edwardsville will collect used and damaged cell phones at each of its locations, with the exception of its in store Shop-n-Save Banking Center and Cougar Banking Center at SIUE.  A complete listing of TheBANK of Edwardsville’s locations in Madison and St. Clair counties may be found at www.4thebank.com. Collection bins are located in the main lobby area of each of TheBANK of Edwardsville’s participating banking centers.

Stuart Somlar, owner of Somtech Recycling, Inc., said “150 million cell phones reach life capacity each year and only five percent of them are disposed of properly. If cell phones and other electronics were recycled in the proper way, there would be an abundant supply of resources available for the creation of new devices.”

“There are also obvious environmental benefits to recycling cell phones,” says Nikki Turner, Community Relations Coordinator for TheBANK of Edwardsville.  “The more we all can do to eliminate waste that is collected in area landfills the better we will be at serving as stewards of the land for generations to come.  TheBANK of Edwardsville is proud to do our part and will continue to look for ways to improve our environment with area partners such as Somtech Recycling.”

Somtech Recycling Inc. is a family-operated business located in Alton, Ill.  The company strives to become the driving force in the eWaste disposal movement in the St. Louis metropolitan area with plans for recycling cell phones, computers and other electronic equipment.  For more information about Somtech Recycling, Inc. or for sponsorship information, please call (618) 593-2981. You may also follow Somtech Recycling on Facebook for updates on recycling efforts.

TheBANK of Edwardsville, with its 2010 theme: “Because We Care,” has assets exceeding $1.35 billion and a long tradition of providing personal service, offering innovative products and giving back to the communities in which it serves.  For more information, please visit www.4thebank.com