where can you donate used cell phones

by Liana Klein 6 min read

10 places to recycle your cell phone

  1. EcoATM. EcoATM is an automated kiosk that collects your unwanted cell phones and tablets and gives you cash for them.
  2. Eco-Cell. Eco-Cell is a Louisville, Kentucky-based e-waste recycling company. ...
  3. Best Buy. ...
  4. Hope Phones. ...
  5. Cell Phones for Soldiers. ...
  6. Gazelle. ...
  7. Call2Recycle. ...
  8. Your carrier. ...
  9. Local places. ...
  10. Recycling for Charities. ...

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

Full Answer

Where to donate old cell phones locally?

American Cell Phone Drive Find local organizations that accept cell phone donations from American Cell Phone Drive’s database of more than 4,000 charities nationwide. Medic Mobile Uses the proceeds from recycled phones to fund healthcare programs in …

Where can you buy unlocked cell phones?

You can donate used or refurbished laptops, computers, tablets, cell phones, televisions, radios, as well as all other types of electronic equipment through Goodwill Donation Centers.

Where to recycle cell phones for cash?

Aug 20, 2019 · First, you can find a donation site near you. Cell Phones For Soldiers has thousands of collection sites all over the country, hosted by generous partner businesses and organizations, and you can find them by searching our database with your ZIP Code. Tip: When you spot a nearby site in our database, we suggest calling them at the listed phone number …

How do you dispose of used cell phones?

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Can I recycle cell phones in my curbside recycling program?

No. You should never put your old cell phone, tablet, or any other electronic device in your curbside recycling bins. Anything with a power cord or...

Where to get the most cash for old cell phones?

If you want to know how to get top dollar money for that old phone you may need to check a couple of sites, and also take advantage of any promo co...

Can I repair my Phone instead of Recycling?

Obviously this will depend on the issue with your current phone. If the battery is not holding a charge consider purchasing a new battery online. I...

Why should I recycle my cell phone?

If you’re looking for a convincing reason to recycle your cell phone simply look at the facts. Cell phones actually contain hazardous materials tha...

What happens to recycled mobile phones?

Many of us know we should recycle all of our small electronics, but how does recycling cell phones actually work? Well if your device is not refurb...

What can I do with my old phone case, charger, or accessories?

Many of the above mentioned outlets for recycling also accept chargers, adaptors and even accessories, if the phone case is still in good shape you...

Does Goodwill or Salvation Army accept Cell Phones?

Yes, both Goodwill and the Salvation Army accept small electronic devices, including cell phones. You will definitely want to be certain to encrypt...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Donating fewer than three (3) phones?

Unfortunately, this does not qualify for free shipping. Please follow these instructions:

How much is my item worth?

Learn how much your donation will generate for NCADV with the below link.

Want to hold a collection?

Thank you for your support! Click here to order free collection boxes and posters and ship your items using the information under “Donating three or more phones” above. Have questions about holding a collection?

How to recycle a cell phone?

First and foremost though let’s cover how to prepare your mobile phone for recycling. Some basic tips on preparation for recycling are: 1 If you have up-graded make sure the cell carrier you use transfers all your data to your new device. 2 You will want to factory reset your phone to wipe all your data and remove all your personal information from it. For added security in wiping your cell phone you can also remove your SIM card or SD card if it hasn’t already been transferred to your new phone. 3 If you have an Android take an extra step and encrypt your data, because a factory reset may not entirely wipe your personal data. 4 If possible you should remove the battery from your cell phone for separate recycling.

What is the purpose of cell phones for soldiers?

Cell Phones for Soldiers is another organization that accepts cell phone donations, they sell the phones to a recycler or refurbishing company and use the profits to provide talk time for servicemen stationed overseas, to call home.

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Sales

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Retailers sell more than 1.5 billion new smartphones each year. And in the United States, at least, smartphone users buy a new device every two years or so. The phones they abandon are often still perfectly functional (if perhaps a bit sluggish), and there's the question of what one should do with those older devices [sources…
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Risks

  • Whatever you do, don't simply chuck your old phone in the garbage. They contain lithium-ion batteries that constitute a real fire hazard, and they can even explode in some circumstances. By one estimate, 65 percent of waste facility fires (in California, at least) were ignited due to discarded cell phone batteries [source: Siegal].
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Composition

  • In addition to the possibility of fire, cell phones electronics are composed of a veritable treasure trove of valuable components. 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 of all cell phones are recycled [source: LeBlanc].
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Operations

  • The organization collects old phones which it sells to a recycler or an electronic refurbisher, depending on the condition. It uses the proceeds to buy long distance calling cards, which are distributed to men and women who are serving in the military. Each phone donated buys about one hour of talk time for soldiers.
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Equipment

  • 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, a…
See more on electronics.howstuffworks.com

Technology

  • 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. As of April 2019, Second …
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Purpose

  • Did you know that all cell phones sold in the U.S., regardless of their carrier subscription status, must be able to dial 911 in case of an emergency? So that half-decade-old phone tucked away in storage will still call for an ambulance or police assistance, provided the battery is chargeable. Secure the Call is an organization that accepts used cell phones and then repurposes them as e…
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Donating Three (3) Or More items?

  • Congratulations! You qualify for free shipping! Follow these instructions: 1. Fill out the "Print Label" Complete Print Label 2. Once complete, choose “Submit” 3. Be sure to print the battery label FIRSTas instructed! Adhere it to the outside of the box. 4. Next print TWO separate shipping labels (include one INSIDE the package and use the other to adhere to the outside of the packag…
See more on ncadv.org

Donating Fewer Than Three (3) Phones?

  • Unfortunately, this does not qualify for free shipping. Please follow these instructions: 1. Print the Li-Ion Battery Shipping Label Print Li-Ion Battery Shipping Label 2. Adhere it to the outside of your package. 3. Ship your items to: Cellular Recycler, ATTN: NCADV 3131 N. 75th St. Boulder, CO 80301 PLEASE NOTE: You may be asked for a UN# before shipping for hazardous material warn…
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What Electronics Do You Accept For Recyling?

  1. Any cell phone in any condition and their accessories
  2. Laptops
  3. Mp3 Players
  4. Digital Cameras
See more on ncadv.org

Want to Hold A Collection?

  • Thank you for your support! Click hereto order free collection boxes and posters and ship your items using the information under “Donating three or more phones” above. Have questions about holding a collection? Email NCADV
See more on ncadv.org