Technology, including cell phones, are convenient, but all that
e-waste is a burning issue.
Hybrid cars can be more fuel efficient--scooters even more so.
To that end, Sprint and Vespa are in the midst of an innovative campaign.
The US wireless carrier and the Italian scooter manufacturer teamed last month to boost consumer participation in Sprint’s used cell phone BuyBack program. Until August 20, wireless customers who return their unwanted cell phones to Sprint receive up to a US$250 towards a new phone. Even better for scooter aficionados, six winners will win a Vespa LX 50 motor scooter.
For Sprint, the campaign is one key towards its goal of
recycling nine cell phones for every 10 sold. Vespa has an opportunity to reach out to new consumers who may otherwise not consider a scooter for
transportation. Vespa has long had a cult following amongst scooter fans who dedicated themselves to restoring old Vespas after the company withdrew from the US market in 1981. The company returned 10 years ago but has the challenge of increasing sales in a market that views scooters as a hobby or for recreation, not for transportation. Spiking fossil fuel prices could change that: according to Vespa, if just a sliver of total US driving miles were done on a scooter, gasoline consumption could decrease by 4 billion gallons a year, or a net savings of US$21 billion.
This is the first “
contest” to be mentioned on GreenGoPost.com for a couple reasons: the Sprint-Vespa alliance is both creative and carries an important message. Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels reaps benefits all the way around.
