Where to Recycle Old Mobile Phones: 10 Top Places and Programs

For those who have a box of “old electronics” lying around in the basement or simply an iPhone that has seen better days, it’s worth considering recycling.

Where is the best place to recycle old cell phones?

If you don’t want to waste hours finding the right place to recycle your old cell phone, here is a list of 10 options. Some are buyback programs or official channels, and others are non-profit charities.

1. Best Buy

best Buy It has recycling kiosks in its stores in the US and offers free recycling in stores. The company typically limits the number of devices to three per day per household. It works with recycling companies to ensure that phones and other electronics do not end up in landfills.

2. Staple

staples Accepts laptops, mobile phones, batteries, accessories and more. Staples has more than 1,000 stores in the US and some international locations. Stores offer gift cards in exchange for trade-in of certain appliances. Rewards members can earn points for bringing in appliances for recycling.

3. Your carrier or manufacturer

Many carriers or manufacturers offer recycling programs. AT&T There is a trade-in program for unwanted phones and accessories regardless of manufacturer or carrier. The owner receives a “promotion card” to reduce the price of a new phone or other purchase. Verizon Also offers a trade-in program in which the owner receives an electronic gift card after sending in and appraising the phone.

Apple Store and Google Recycle used products for free.

4. Local Establishment

There are undoubtedly places to recycle old phones in your city. Most government websites, Including people from New York CityProvide guidelines on where to recycle phones. Many cities have non-profit organizations that donate old phones as well. EPA It has an option to find out what electronics you can recycle with mail-in options.

See: Recycling plastic and other waste can be an important part of the life cycle of technology products.

5. Eco-Cell

eco-cell is a Louisville, Kentucky-based e-waste recycling company. It partners with non-profits and organizations such as the Jane Goodall Institute. Bins are located in coffee shops and other businesses across the country, where collected phones are sent to Eco-Cell in Louisville. If the phones are reusable, they resell them and give some of the money back to the owner. If they are not reusable, the phones are recycled, and the owner is paid money for the value of the recycled materials.

6. Doctor’s Phone Donation Program

The Hope Phone campaign was launched in 2009 by Medic Mobile, which works to advance health care in 16 countries using mobile technology. now known as Doctor’s Phone Donation ProgramIndividuals, nonprofits, groups or businesses can donate old phones. Mobile devices are recycled and repurposed to provide the nonprofit with new technology for the field. According to the website, most older models are priced at $5, but new smartphones are regularly priced at $80. For the program, box the phone and ship it to the Colorado address listed on the website.

7. Cell phones for soldiers

cell phones for soldiers is a non-profit organization that provides cost-free communications services to active-duty military and veterans. The revenue from the phone is used to purchase international calling cards. New or gently used mobile phones are accepted, and each device costs $5, which translates into 2.5 hours of free talk time for soldiers.

8. gazelle

beautiful little reindeer One of the most popular trade-in options for old cell phones. The resale company is headquartered in Boston, Louisville, Kentucky and Texas. Select your phone’s brand, model and carrier, describe its size and then get an offer. Ship it for free, and get a check or gift card to Amazon.com or PayPal after Gazelle estimates its value.

9. Call2Recycle

call2recycle The US and Canada have a free recycling program for batteries and cell phones. It has collection boxes that can be placed anywhere with a shipping permit, so they are easy to mail. Call2Recycle offers bulk shipping if you want to send them any recyclable items.

10. EcoATM

EcoATM There is an automated kiosk that collects your unwanted cell phones and tablets and gives you cash for them. It’s made by the same people who make Coinstar, so you’ll find them in checkout lines at various grocery store chains. It accepts equipment of any era or any condition and offers anywhere from a few bucks to a few hundred dollars in return. EcoATM has partnered with R2-certified e-waste recovery facilities to ensure that they are recycled or given a second life to the phones.

Some users report technical issues with ecoATM machines or less cash than expected. When recycling money instruments, be aware that the trade-in ecosystem may be unstable. Services provide an estimate upfront but may charge varying fees after inspecting a specific appliance.

What should you do with old mobile phone?

Consider upgrading your old mobile phone’s hardware or software as much as possible before purchasing a new model, provided everything works properly. Don’t throw it on the road if you want to dispose of it. In some states it is illegal to throw electronics and their batteries in the trash because they contain toxic substances. Disposal of batteries in particular can be dangerous.

How to prepare a cell phone for recycling?

Be sure to deactivate your phone service and delete any data you want to keep. You may want to wipe the phone using the factory reset option before recycling to delete your personal data. If you send your device to a program where it will be physically recycled, any personal data on that phone will be destroyed. If a phone is upgraded, personal data will be deleted.