The Telecommunication Systems Management Association (TSMA), a student organization for information and telecommunication systems majors, is sponsoring a cell phone donation drive from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday outside Baker University Center's fourth-floor entrance.

The group is collecting cell phones, chargers, beepers and accessories from university and Athens community members.

Phones will be sent to Eco-Cell, which will auction them to individuals and hospitals in developing countries. Proceeds from the auction will be given back to TSMA, which plans to donate the money to Ohio University's Kids on Campus program. Kids on Campus provides underserved, at-risk children with afterschool and summer programs.

Phones that are not suitable for reuse are sent to Umicore, a precious metal refining company that will recycle the electronics in a way that is environment-friendly.

More than 150 million cell phones are replaced every year in the United States, according to Inform Inc., an independent research group that studies the impact of business practices on the environment. Recycling these cell phones conserves natural resources and prevents toxic materials such as copper, arsenic and lead from entering the water, soil and air. It also minimizes the impact resource extraction has on the environment.

Because TSMA members will be working with technology (primarily networks) when they graduate, they decided a cell phone drive would be the perfect way to give back to the community.

For more information on the cell phone drive, contact Tracy DiMarino at td270405@ohio.edu.