A useless cell phone can mean cold hard cash for the American Red Cross, which, as part of a cell phone recycling campaign, is promised $1 for each cellular donated.

“They don’t have to be working cell phones,” said Aaron Stewart, staffer at the Mower County American Red Cross. “There’s a box at the entrance. People can just drop them in.”

Stewart said the effort is in partnership Michigan-based ReCellular Inc., the leading collector, re-seller and recycler of cell phones and electronics nationwide.

The hope is to raise $50,000 by the campaign’s end.

“They use various parts of the phones for different things,” he said. “Their goal is to keep as cell phones out of the landfill.”

According to the ReCellular’s Web site, only 1 percent of the 130 million cell phone retired annually in the U.S. are recycled or reused, leaving the rest to landfills or drawer and closet clutter.

Those interested in participating can print off a pre-paid shipping label from the Red Cross’ Web site, www.redcross.com, or drop the phone off directly at its office, located at 305 Fourth Ave. NW.