SaskTel encouraging customers to recycle their old cell phones and give the gift of a fresh start this holiday season

November 14, 2023

This holiday season, SaskTel is encouraging customers to donate their old cell phones and cell phone accessories to the Phones for a Fresh Start (PFFS) program and help give the gift of a fresh start to those struggling with domestic violence and youth transitioning out of Ministry of Social Services care.

"For youth transitioning out of care a phone can be a lifeline, enabling them to stay in touch with vital support networks, such as community partners, former caregivers and extended family," said Gene Makowsky, Minister of Social Services. "We are proud to work with SaskTel to provide such a great program to youth in our province so they can stay connected as they transition to independence."

“The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and laughter, but for some they are filled with unimaginable stress and uncertainty,” said Charlene Gavel, SaskTel President and CEO. “As the holidays quickly approach, we ask our customers to donate their old cell phones to Phones for a Fresh Start and help make a difference in the lives of families struggling with domestic violence and young people who need a helping hand as they transition out of ministry care and into adulthood.”

Through the PFFS, SaskTel collects and recycles old cell phones and cell phone accessories and uses the proceeds generated by the recycling process to purchase new cell phones and prepaid phone cards. The new cell phones and prepaid phone cards are then donated to Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan’s (PATHS) 24 member agencies to help people escaping domestic violence. SaskTel also donates cell phones and prepaid phone cards to the Ministry of Social Services to support youth as they set out on the path to independence.

“We are so grateful for the SaskTel Phones for a Fresh Start program that enables PATHS member agencies to distribute new phones to individuals who have experienced violence and abuse,” said Jo-Anne Dusel, Executive Director at PATHS. “These phones are a key tool for keeping in touch with family and friends, looking for housing or employment, and calling for help in an emergency. Everyone deserves a life free from violence and abuse. By supporting this program, you are helping provide a crucial support for survivors of intimate partner and family violence.”

Donating is easy. During the holiday season and throughout the year, cell phones, batteries, and accessories can be dropped off at any SaskTel Store or one of over 50 participating Authorized Dealer locations across the province. Additionally, you can also ship your device to SaskTel free of charge through Canada Post.

Since 2009 when PFFS began, SaskTel has recycled more than 135,000 cell phones. All proceeds from the recycling process have been used to purchase and donate $127,000 in prepaid phone cards and over 5,000 cell phones to people in communities across Saskatchewan.

To learn more about Phones for a Fresh Start, please visit www.sasktel.com/freshstart.

About SaskTel

SaskTel is the leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) provider in Saskatchewan, with approximately $1.3 billion in annual revenue and nearly 1.4 million customer connections including more than 654,000 wireless accesses, 257,000 wireline network accesses, 295,000 internet and data accesses, 111,000 maxTV service subscribers, and 77,000 security monitoring customers. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries offer a wide range of ICT products and services including competitive voice, data and Internet services, wireless data services, maxTV services, data centre services, cloud-based services, security monitoring services, advertising services, and international software and consulting services. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 3,300 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.