SPRINT BRAND LOGOSprint announced today that they collected 279,524 wireless devices in April as part of their commitment to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Plug-In to eCycling National Cell Phone Recycling Week’.

The carrier had originally set the goal of collecting 250,000 units in April as part of their support for the EPA’s campaign, which ran from 6th to the 12th of April 2009.

“We thank Sprint customers and all cell phone users for helping us exceed our collection goal of 250,000 wireless devices in April,” said Ralph Reid, Sprint vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility. “This achievement illustrates how consumers can and will participate in eCycling efforts. Thanks to those who answered Sprint’s call to recycle, we are another step closer toward achieving our larger goal of reaching a 90 percent device collection rate by 2017.”

Sprint claim to lead the industry in wireless recycling through its consumer outreach efforts, and say that since 2001 they’ve diverted more than 16 million cell phones from landfills for reuse or recycling. According to the company their device collection rate is just under 35 percent – more than three times the American wireless industry’s recycling average.

“While we are grateful for strong April participation levels, eCycling is a year-round activity,” Reid noted. “Those with old phones stuck in drawers who missed the April collection effort can still participate.”