Idaho State University and Verizon Wireless recently announced a three-year partnership to introduce "UHopeLine," an expansion of the company’s wireless phone recycling program.

The new program aims to increase awareness of dating violence, provide aid to domestic violence survivors and get college students to recycle their old wireless devices — helping battery victims and the environment.

As part of the program, Verizon will present ISU with a $25,000 grant and five permanent cell phone collection bins will be placed across the three campuses in Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Meridian.

People can drop off their old wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider in the bins.

Phones that can be refurbished are sold for reuse and those without value are disposed of in an environmentally sound way. Proceeds from the program are used to provide wireless phones and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.