Recycling Old Cell Phones: 3 Easy Steps

Posted by Laura Bergells

January 7, 2008

How do you responsibly recycle an old cell phone? When I activated a new cell phone over the weekend, my mom asked if I was going to donate my old Motorola i1000 mobile phone to Goodwill. I’ve had my old phone since 1999, and it’s a brick. I told Mom I doubted that Goodwill would want it.

Turns out, I’m wrong.

(And Mom’s right again, as usual!)

Old, de-activated cell phones still have 911 capabilities. Someone without a cell phone might find this one powerful feature enormously helpful in a time of need.

And simply throwing the mobile phone away is environmentally irresponsible. There could be all kinds of toxins in my old, itty-bitty brick. So what to do?

Here’s how to responsibly recycle an old cell phone in three easy steps:

1. Erase Your Phone’s Data. When you donate or recycle, first remove your mobile phone’s personal data. Addresses, timers, voicemails, text, timers — the works. To find out how, use this free cell phone data eraser. Just enter your phone’s manufacturer and model number, and you’ll get lightning fast instructions on data removal. (I faced this task with grave skepticism, thinking that my model was so old, it would have to be a manual process. But by following the instructions, I was done in less than a minute.)

2. Find a Recycler. Goodwill or Salvation Army readily accept cell phone donations. And you can always call your own favorite church or charity to find out if they accept donated cell phones. Many do. And don’t forget — is there someone in your own circle of friends or family that doesn’t have a mobile phone? Someone elderly, perhaps? The 911 feature + a cell phone’s mobility can help in one of those “I’ve fallen and can get up” situations.

3. Give it away. Gather up your data-dumped phone, charger, battery and all the phone accessories. Physically take this phone, and give it away. Feel good about it!

Where’s your favorite place to donate and recycle old cell phones?