how to donate old cell phones ehow

by Virgie Berge 6 min read

Where to donate old cell phones locally?

Aug 02, 2018 · Secure the Call is a nonprofit organization that aims to keep old cell phones out of the landfill and repurpose them to be emergency life-saving devices. When Secure the Call gets your donated phone, they will ensure that it is clear of any personal information you might have left on it, set the phone back to factory settings, and crush the SIM card.

How do you dispose of used cell phones?

When you donate a cellphone to an organization for domestic-violence survivors, you’re actually donating it for recycling. The organizations sift through the phones they receive and pull out the usable ones and ones that they can fix up. Those phones are made ready and given to people dealing with domestic abuse.

How to dispose of old cell phones?

Oct 04, 2017 · 1 Contact your cell phone carrier. Contact your cell phone carrier to disconnect service to the phone. Disconnecting service to the phone will ensure you do not incur any surprise charges after you send off your phone. Also, it is a standard requirement for most donation programs that the donated phone be deactivated.

How to recycle old cell phones?

Several non-profit donation programs across the states hold fundraisers where you can dispose of your old cell phones so that other people can use them. Give It To Friends Or Family Before disposing of your old cell phones, you can look around for friends or any family members who may require one.

How do I prepare a cell phone for donations?

How to wipe your deviceBack up the device before any procedure.Download a remote wiping app. ... Clear the internal memory.Follow the manual factory reset instructions.Get software that – among other things – includes a SIM card lock.Record your phone's unique ID number for future reference.

What can I do with my old cell phones?

You can turn it into a dedicated media player for in the car. You could make it a dedicated alarm clock. You could turn it into a dedicated VoIP device. If it's one of many older Androids with a built-in IR blaster, you can turn it into a universal remote.Sep 2, 2020

Where can I donate old cell phones in my area?

Where to Donate Your Old Cell Phone911 Cell Phone Bank. ... American Cell Phone Drive. ... Cell4Pets. ... Cell Phones for Soldiers. ... eBay for Charity. ... Goodwill. ... Medic Mobile. ... National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.More items...•Feb 5, 2021

How much gold is in a cell phone?

A computer contains about 0.2 grams of gold, valued at about $12. Each laptop has 0.006 grams of gold, and you'd need 7,500 such devices to get a kilo of gold. Then, a cellphone contains about 0.034 grams of gold, worth about $1.83.

Do old cell phones have any value?

How much are old cell phones worth? Old phones can be worth a huge amount! Of course, it all depends on the original retail price of the phone and its age and condition now, popular brands like Apple and Samsung Android devices can still put upwards of $500 in your pocket.

Does goodwill Take cell phones?

All Goodwill Donation Centre locations accept working electronics such as laptops, PCs, tablets, cell phones, televisions, radios and more.

Does target take old cell phones?

Trade in your old devices Get a Target GiftCard when you trade in your phone, headphones, gaming gear & more.

Is Big Sky Recycling legitimate?

As a Certified B Corporation, Big Sky Recycling meets the highest standards of accountability, ensuring data destruction on all recycled cell phones. For your convenience, we have also provided step-by-step instructions on how to remove accounts and erase data from your cell phone.

What do I do with an old cell phone?

Providing the phone still works, you can donate your old smartphone to a number of charities that have partnered with cell phone refurbishing compa...

Are old cell phones worth anything?

Old cell phones aren’t worth much because there isn't much demand for them. If it’s not particularly old (just used), then you can try reselling it...

Is it safe to use an old Android phone?

Since old smartphones and android phones do not come with the now-required safety configurations, it may not be safe for you to use them to store a...

What was the very first smartphone?

The very first smartphone was launched by IBM in 1992 and was released to the general public for purchase in 1994. This device wasn't entirely comp...

Is Android 5 still safe?

While Android 5 lacks the security patches that make the smartphones of today safe, you can still use it. However, consider updating it with extern...

How much of cell phones are recycled?

Even so, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently estimates only about 20 percent of all cell phones are recycled [source: LeBlanc ]. Most cell phone providers have drop-off bins or mail-in programs to make recycling your old phone easy, but there are lots of ways you can recycle your phone and give to others. ...

When was the first smartphone invented?

The very first smartphone was launched by IBM in 1992 and was released to the general public for purchase in 1994. This device wasn't entirely compact and was soon replaced by more innovative versions.

What are cell phones made of?

They're are made with precious metals, copper and plastics, all of which can be recycled to make new products. Even so, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently estimates only about 20 percent ...

What does NCADV do?

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) collects cell phones to help fund their programs. They accept phones and partner with Cellular Recycler, which sells refurbished electronics. Some of the funds from those sales then goes back to NCADV. They'll also accept other types of old electronics, too, including old laptops, digital cameras, video game consoles, and MP3 players, along with all of the related charging cords and accessories.

What is second wave recycling?

Second Wave Recycling is an organization that accepts older phones, iPods and MP3 players, tablets and e-readers, handheld gaming devices, smart watches and even charging cables. Newer and functional devices are refurbished and then sold for cash. Older devices are recycled. The money from those processes is donated to fund a designated charity. Second Wave is actively funding the Wounded Warrior Project, which offers support services for military personnel who've been hurt while serving the U.S., but the organization has supported other causes, too, including charities that benefit medical patients, domestic abuse survivors, animals rescues, and many others. You can choose which charity to support.

What is Medic Mobile?

Medic Mobile recycles and refurbishes old phones and tablets and uses the funds to buy mobile devices that medical workers use on the job in 26 countries, mostly in Asia, Latin America, or Africa. These devices register pregnancies, track disease outbreaks, and communicate about medical emergencies. Advertisement.

What is the second wave?

Second Wave is actively funding the Wounded Warrior Project, which offers support services for military personnel who've been hurt while serving the U.S. , but the organization has supported other causes, too, including charities that benefit medical patients, domestic abuse survivors, animals rescues, and many others.

Who is the founder of Cell Phones for Soldiers?

Cell Phones for Soldiers. Founded in 2004 by then tween brother and sister Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers takes your old devices and transforms them into aid for those serving in the military.

What is Medic Mobile?

Medic Mobile funds healthcare programs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America using your donated cell phones or tablets. Donated phones are also used directly by health workers to monitor medicine stock, track diseases, register pregnancies, and communicate during emergency situations.

Do old phones take up space?

Now that smartphones and tablets have been around for several years, there's a good chance that you have an old device or two just taking up space somewhere around your house, relegated to a life as a very expensive paperweight. You might not realize, however, that your old phone or tablet could still have much more purpose than that.

How often do people throw away cell phones?

Statistics suggest that around 130 million cell phones are tossed aside annually, which is not surprising considering most Americans get a new cell phone every 18 to 24 months. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current phone or cleaning out the junk drawer, you cannot simply throw cell phones in the trash. Electronic waste is a big concern in the United States. According to a UN report, only 20% discard their old phones properly.

Why do you need to remove SIM card?

That is why, once you back everything up, it is recommended to remove the SIM card and any other memory cards on the device to protect your personal security. Occasionally, SIM cards store contact information and other personal data.

What is a factory reset?

A factory reset is a built-in feature most cell phones have. The software erases any internal memory left on the device. It is referred to as a “factory reset” because it returns your phone to the state it was in when it left the factory.

What is the EPA certification for e-waste disposal?

There are currently two accredited certifications recognized by the EPA for e-waste disposal and recycling – the Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) and the e-Stewards standards. Both certification programs share practices that ensure the responsible recycling and disposal of used electronics. Ask About Data Security.

prepaid

CPFS will pay for your shipping if you plan to ship 10 phones or more.

Self-Paid

Thank you for taking the extra step to cover shipping costs for your donated devices! Not only is your device donation tax deductible but so are the shipping costs.

Secure

We use specialized data erasure software that's in compliance with the DOD.

Easy & Free

We accept all types of smartphones, tablets, handheld game consoles & basic phones, plus we provide shipping labels to send your devices to us.

Help others, Feels Great

A single phone can help support those in need. Plus it feels great and helps the environment!

Recycling vs. Donating for Use

When you donate a cellphone to an organization for domestic-violence survivors, you’re actually donating it for recycling. The organizations sift through the phones they receive and pull out the usable ones and ones that they can fix up. Those phones are made ready and given to people dealing with domestic abuse.

Where You Can Go

Many organizations, from domestic-abuse organizations like the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Shelter Alliance to retail companies like Verizon, accept old cellphones with the specific goal of either recycling unusable phones or refurbishing usable equipment. Police departments often have programs as well.

How to Prepare Your Phone

Treat phone recycling and donation as if you were selling the phone to a stranger. Delete all of your information, from contacts to text messages to games. Remove pictures, too.

What to do with old cell phones?

If your old cell phone has become obsolete for your use, you should consider donating or recycling it. The phone you donate to charity can provide cell phone access to someone who may need it but can not afford to buy a phone. Donating and recycling cell phones can also help cut down on electronic waste, as the phones are being reused ...

Where is the SIM card on a cell phone?

The SIM card is typically located underneath the cell phone's battery.

Who is Marissa Willman?

Marissa Willman is a Palm Springs-based travel journalist and content writer. She has been writing professionally since 2007 for such publications as Viator.com, VisitPalmSprings.com and Palm Springs Life. Willman is also the local guide for the Palm Springs section of travel website 10Best.com. Willman holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from California State University, Fullerton.

What is included in a tax receipt for a cell phone donation?

The tax receipt includes important information including the name of the donor, the charity, contact information and the date of the donation. Also a list of donated items (in case you are donating multiple cell phones) will be included on this receipt.

What information should be wiped off a cell phone?

It is important to make sure that the cell phone is wiped clean of any personal information and files such as call logs, address books, text messages, photos, videos and anything else you may have stored on the phone.