Old devices gathering dust in drawers across the U.S. now have a powerful new purpose. AT&T and insurance firm and largest reseller of used phones globally, Assurant, have teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation this April to transform traded-in phones and tablets into trees, supporting California’s wildfire recovery efforts. The program, called Tree for Trade-In, is simple: for every device turned in through AT&T’s in-person or online trade-in program during April, a tree will be planted. These trees will be grown at the Placerville Nursery, California’s only forest service nursery, and planted in areas devastated by recent wildfires. The goal? A total of 75,000 new trees.
A broader sustainability vision
“This program is part of a much bigger picture,” says Roman Smith, AT&T’s director of global environmental sustainability. “We want to connect people and rebuild communities in a sustainable way.”
Biju Nair, EVP and president of Assurant Global Connected Living, added: “We’re proud to join with AT&T for nearly 15 years to help realize their sustainability objectives through circularity. It’s a collaboration that has created a measurable impact in reducing carbon emissions and electronic waste.”
E-waste and climate urgency intersect
As climate change drives extreme weather events, electronic waste continues to grow — and fast. Most discarded devices end up in landfills, despite containing precious materials and recyclable components. Initiatives like Tree for Trade-In help bridge that gap between urgent environmental needs and responsible tech consumption.
The power of collective action
“This Earth Month,” said AT&T’s Chief Sustainability Officer Charlene Lake, “every returned Apple iPhone, tablet, or smartphone is a step toward forest recovery and climate renewal.” The joint effort highlights how corporate collaboration can contribute meaningfully to environmental restoration.
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