how to donate or recycle your cell phone

• Take Advantage of Buy-Back Programs
• Look for Local Cell Phone Recycling Centers Near You. Search for local cell phone recycling centers near you. ...
• Use Recycling Kiosks. Organizations such as coffee shops, local government offices, restaurants and a variety of other local businesses may offer public recycling kiosks.
• Support a Nonprofit e-Waste Recycling Company

Full Answer

How should I dispose of my old cell phone?

Drop Off Your Phone to SBDC and We'll Donate It for You! Bring your old phone to Amanda Bernal in SBDC/Resource Development, room 2.108 on The Dalles Campus, and the Green Team will donate it to HAVEN or StRUT for you. Five Good Reasons to Recycle Cell Phones. Recycling just one cell phone saves enough energy to power a laptop for 44 hours.

Where to donate old cell phones locally?

Nov 06, 2014 · 10 places to recycle your cell phone . ... Individuals, nonprofits, groups, or businesses can host a Hope Phones campaign to donate old phones. They are recycled and valued so the nonprofit can ...

How to dispose of old cell phones?

Look for Local Cell Phone Recycling Centers Near You. Search for local cell phone recycling centers near you. Local centers may offer a variety of recycling services aside from electronic waste, so it is important to explicitly ask the organization if they offer e-waste recycling.

How do you dispose of used cell phones?

Jan 22, 2021 · Wesley Poritz’s company Big Sky Recycling will take your tech, broken or working, and recycle it with profits going to charities like One …

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

What should I do before I donate my phone?

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.

Should you remove SIM card before recycling phone?

Just as you do not want to lose those precious files on your phone, you definitely don't want them falling into the hands of a stranger. 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.Oct 2, 2020

Should I remove the SIM card before donating my phone?

Mark Burgess says the easiest way is to simply remove the SIM or SD card and use it on another phone or destroy it. If you have apps installed, remove them and delete the data. Once the phone is clear of your data, you can donate or recycle the device.Apr 23, 2019

How do I wipe my old flip phone?

Master Reset: Open the flip and press OK. Settings > Security.Call List: Open the flip and press OK. Call History > All Calls > Options > Delete All.Text Messages: Open the flip and press OK. Messaging > Settings > Delete All > All Messages.Camera/Video: Open the flip and press OK.

How do I clean my phone before returning it?

Press the Menu button and tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Privacy. Tap Factory Data Reset. Check Erase Internal Storage to erase all the data on the phone's internal storage.Jan 8, 2022

How do I clear data before selling my phone?

How to factory reset your android phone?Step 1: Go to the 'Settings' of your device.Step 2: Search for 'Reset' and then click on 'Factory Data Reset' from the searched items.Step 3: Now, allow reset and let the phone complete the cleaning and wiping process and then restart.More items...•Jul 13, 2021

What is cellular recycler?

Cellular Recycler, a nonprofit organization that specializes in electronic trade-ins, makes it easy to send in your old phone. It also offers a Collection Kit for organizations interested in holding trade-in fundraisers.

What is American Cell Phone Drive?

The American Cell Phone Drive collects devices to distribute in communities across the nation. American Cell Phone Drive works with more than 4,000 organizations, the group says on its website.

Does Pickup Please pick up your phone?

Available in 13 states, Pickup Please will pick up your phone for free and donate the proceeds to Vietnam Veterans of America. All you have to do is schedule a pickup online and a driver will arrive and leave you a tax deduction receipt.

What is cell phone for soldiers?

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a nonprofit organization that is “dedicated to providing cost-free communication services and emergency funding to active-duty military members and veterans. ”.

How much of the world's electronic waste is recycled?

That’s more electronic waste than any other country. And with only about 12.5 percent of electronic waste actually being recycled, the amount of gold, copper, and silver being thrown in the trash is mind-boggling.

Why are smartphones important?

Smartphones are an integral part of life in today’s society. They make keeping in touch with family and friends easy, we can snap photos and videos and share them with effortlessly, and they give us the ability to make emergency calls from almost anywhere.

How much metal is in a cell phone?

The EPA states that for every one million recycled cell phones, “35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.”. That’s a lot of precious metals. The United States produces 9.4 million tons of electronic waste every year ...

Does Sprint have a trade in program?

Sprint also has a trade in program, as does T-Mobile, and AT&T. We recommend contacting your service provider to find out more specific information about trade in programs. You can also recycle your electronics by taking it to your local Best Buy or Staples.

How much electronic waste do Americans throw out?

Americans throw out 9.4 million tons of electronic waste every year. As mentioned before, your unwanted electronics are full of precious metals and toxic chemicals, which is why keeping them out of the trash, landfills, and water supplies is so crucially important.

Does staples recycle?

Staples has a goal to recycle 50 million pounds of electronic waste every year, and they are on track to do so. For those who live in California or the State of New York, there are state run programs in place that require the store from which you bought the device to take it back for recycling.

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. ...

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 ...

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 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.

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.

What is cell phone for soldiers?

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a nonprofit that works to provide cost-free communication services to active-duty military and veterans. New or gently used mobile phones are accepted and each device valued at $5 turns into 2.5 hours of free talk time for the soldiers.

What is Hope Phones?

4. Hope Phones. The Hope Phones campaign was started in 2009 by Medic Mobile, which works to advance health care in 16 countries by using mobile technology. Individuals, nonprofits, groups, or businesses can host a Hope Phones campaign to donate old phones.

Where is Eco Cell located?

Eco-Cell. Eco-Cell is a Louisville, Kentucky- based e-waste recycling company. It partners with nonprofits and organizations such as the Jane Goodall Institute. Bins are located in coffee shops and other businesses around the country, where the collected phones are shipped to Eco-Cell in Louisville.

What is call2recyle?

Call2Recyle is a no-cost recycling program for batteries and cell phones in the US and Canada. It has collection boxes that can be placed anywhere, which have shipping permits so mailing them is easy. They also have bulk shipping if there is a large amount of recyclables.

Does AT&T have a trade in program?

AT&T has a trade-in program for unwanted phones and accessories regardless of manufacturer or carrier. The owner gets a "promotion card" which can then be used to take money off a new phone or other purchase. Make sure you erase all your information before you turn them in, though.

How much gold is recycled in a cell phone?

To demonstrate the importance of recycling, the article mentions that every time one million cell phones are recycled, they yield: 35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium. This is important to consider since only about 12.5% of e-waste is actually recycled, according to the same article.

What happens when you throw away a cell phone?

When you throw away your phone, it is treated as waste and either burned (releasing hazardous chemicals into the air) or left in a landfill where the soil will absorb the toxic chemicals. Reduced energy consumption: When you recycle cell phones, you save energy through re-purposing.

What are cell phones made of?

The materials used to make cell phones generally consist of: Various metals, including common alloys, as well as some precious metals like ...

What is an eco friendly phone?

Eco-Friendly Phones and Accessories. Eco-friendly devices exist; they have ECO Specs and are created with packaging, production, phone efficiency, and materials in mind. There are various apps and phone settings that can help with energy efficiency as well.

How much of e-waste is recycled?

This is important to consider since only about 12.5% of e-waste is actually recycled, according to the same article. It becomes important to understand and implement best practices surrounding cell phone recycling.

What is a Pela case?

Pela: Cases are 100% compostable, biodegradable, and made of flax. Ocean75: While most cases are plastic-based, this company makes their cases with recycled fishing nets. PITAKA: This company designs cork cases that are durable, flexible and non-damaging to the environment.

What is the recycling process?

The Recycling Process. During the recycling process, any part of a mobile device that is usable is repurposed instead of being immediately thrown out. The process generally starts when the recycler ships the batteries off to be recycled at a specialized establishment.

What is cell phone recycling?

Cell phone recycling can take the form of a gift to your niece, a donation to charity, or even sending it to a professional recycling company. Whatever the tech afterlife looks like for your phone, there are some important steps you need to take first to make sure your privacy and personal data are protected. ...

How to encrypt an Android phone?

Apple phones are automatically encrypted, but you can encrypt your Android phone in a few easy steps: Go to Settings, then Security, then tap “Encrypt phone.”. Once that process is complete, you can select simply reset your Android phone in Settings. Here’s everything you need to know about phone encryption.

What is O2 recycling?

O2 Recycle is the non warm and fuzzy alternative to O2’s charitable phone recycling programme. It’s administered by Ingram Micro Services Ltd. The contract formed is with that company, rather than O2. Take a read of O2 Recycle’s terms and conditions document, because it details ways the grading system may well reduce the money you receive.

What is community calling?

Community Calling is a partnership between O2 and charity Hubbub. It launched in 2020 as a way to provide phones to “digitally excluded households”. Following a trial run in London, Community Calling has extended to Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, South Wales and Glasgow. It aims to reach 10,000 homes. Donated phones are redistributed with one year of “free credit” from O2.

What is a fonebank?

Fonebank. Fonebank is a trade-in site, but it also lets you donate part, or all, of the proceeds to one of three charities. These are WaterAid, Oxfam and the National Trust. This is a sound choice if you want to do some good, but would also like to claw some money back to offset the cost of a new phone.

Is Envirofone a trade in site?

Envirofone is one of the most generous phone trade-in sites. It has a far less black and white grading system than Mazuma Mobile or Music Magpie, and its parent company used to run the trade-in programmes for Three and O2.

Does Paypal protect you?

To avoid this, always send your phone via a tracked service that confirms delivery. However, this does not fully protect you. Paypal, the service used most often in these transactions, has a very good buyer protection system that can be manipulated by duplicitous online shoppers.

What is a control panel?

A control panel for smart-home tech is one of the best new lives for an older phone. Use an app like Ariela to get a front-end for a bunch of different devices, and to drop control widgets onto the home screen to make it seem more like a made-to-measure smart-home interface.

Is Gumtree a good place to sell phones?

Home to pelotons’ worth of stolen bikes and small cities of dodgy flat listings, Gumtree is a good place to sell phones locally. It’s much like Facebook Marketplace in this respect. What’s the difference? You simply reach a slightly different audience. Gumtree offers no particular seller protections, so be careful.

How to recycle electronics?

Before Donating or Recycling Your Used Electronics 1 For your computer or laptop, consider upgrading the hardware or software instead of buying a brand new product. 2 Delete all personal information from your electronics. 3 Remove any batteries from your electronics, they may need to be recycled separately. 4 Check for recycling facilities Exit in your state or community.

Why is electronics donation important?

Electronics donation and recycling is a great way to help conserve resources and natural materials. It is important to make sure you are donating and/or recycling electronics safely and correctly.

What are electronic products made of?

Electronic products are made from valuable resources and materials, including metals, plastics, and glass, all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves our natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing virgin ...

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• 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 cam...

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