13 Jul 2005

Recycling Your Old Cell Phone

Congratulations, you've bought a new cell phone. If you're wondering what to do with your old cell phone, don't throw it out! Not only do cell phones contain toxic parts that can leak into landfills, but you can actually get money for your cellular junk.

There are a variety of initiatives for recycling used cell phones. Some give the phones to those in need here in the U.S. (like battered women's shelters), redistribute them in developing countries (where cell phones are often the only means for making long distance calls), refurbish them to resell, or take them apart for their component parts.

One such organization, Cell Phone Trade-Ins, guarantees that your aging cell phone will either be put to good use (if it's in working condition) or disposed of in an environmentally sound fashion (if it's not). They also pay the cost of shipping and handling, and send back a check immediately upon receipt.

There are also larger charities, such as the Special Olympics that work with these kinds of organizations to run their own cell phone recycling fundraisers.

The average life of a cell phone is only 18 months and some estimates say that 150 million cell phones are being replaced a year. Odds are that you replaced your cell phone recently or plan to do so soon. If so, please donate or sell your phone to one of the many sites that collects used cell phones and put your old junk to good use.

The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) runs a website called www.recyclewirelessphones.org that lists programs organized by the association's member companies. Some programs list physical locations where you can drop off your unused cell phones and others will send you a mailing label so you can simply drop your phone into the mail.

A quick search on the Internet also turns up a wide variety of other cash and charity programs:

http://www.wirefly.org
http://cellphonetradeins.flipswap.com
http://www.grcrecycling.com
http://www.charitablerecycling.com
http://www.collectivegood.com
http://www.cellforcash.com
http://www.call2recycle.org
http://www.cashmyphone.com
http://www.oldcellphone.com

Whether you're interested in turning your cell phone in for cash, making a donation, or even starting your own fundraising program, look around to see which program offers the best deal for your phone or your cause. But don't wait too long. The sooner you send in your old cell phone the more it'll be worth to you or your charity of choice.

Note: Before you send in your cell phones or drop them off in a collection box, remember that it's your responsibility to:

Pay off your balance and terminate your service
Clear the cell phone's memory of contacts and other stored information
Remove your phone's SIM card, if it has one. Cell phones that operate on GSM networks use SIM Cards.

If you have questions about how to do this, contact your cell phone service provider.

Back to Cell Phone Articles Archive .

Comments

Related stats can be found in an article at Mobiledia: http://www.mobiledia.com/news/33166.html

Posted by: Davis at July 26, 2005 04:41 PM

You can also donate to local causes by going to www.AmericanCellPhoneDrive.org

Or sell your phones To www.PaceButler.com they pay within 4 days of receiving the cell phones. since 1987 800-248-5360

Posted by: Tom Pace at August 26, 2005 10:15 AM

Article about related OEM initiatives, pending legislation and more in this very informative article published by the Consumer Electronics Association:
http://members.ce.org/publications/vision/2005/sepoct/p18.asp

Posted by: Point.com at October 7, 2005 02:44 PM

We found this site that lists a bunch of sites just like this too. I'm not to thrilled by how much they are offering for mine though. Seems like ebay is the way to go? Thoguhts anyone? http://www.whobuyscellphones.com

Posted by: Timothy Smith at November 12, 2005 06:40 PM

Check out www.cellularsalvage.com where we pay top dollar for used cell phones. 678-528-7362.

Posted by: Cellular Salvage at November 23, 2005 02:56 AM

My son's cell phone was destroyed last week when he was in a serious car accident. He is mending every day but does need a cell phone to replace his. Where can he purchase a used ALLTEL cell phone?

His medical bills are well over 100K and he doesn't have a job at the moment - so a new phone at $150+ isn't an option.

Thank you for any help or guidance you can give me to pass on to him.

Posted by: SK at December 11, 2005 08:28 PM

I would like to purchase a used or refurbished alltel or verizon cell phone. Mine was dammaged and being ill and can't afford to buy a new one. I would like a flip phone and it has to have a color screen to get 911 or the phone company (alltel) will not turn it on. Thanks

Posted by: Patricia Moore at March 8, 2006 12:38 PM