Green Living by iGreenify

The average consumer changes cell phones once every 18 months. Usually it’s not because the cell phone is unusable, but because cell phone manufacturers are constantly coming out with new styles and flashy advertisements. The fact is that cell phones can and should last several years before being replaced.

If you insist on upgrading your cell phone, be sure your old one gets recycled. As explained in this blog post, Cell phones contain many harsh chemicals that could end up in our water supply and the air we breathe.

Although cell phones usually only contain small amounts of these poisons, landfills are littered with tons and tons of old cell phones and other ewaste such as TV sets, microwaves, and other electronics. If you’re not recycling your old electronics, then you’re contributing to the problem.

How to recycle old cell phones

Before recycling your old cell phone, you should first be sure to terminate your service, or switch it to your new cell phone. Next clear the phone’s memory including all of your contacts, personal information, and address book.

If your cell phone has a SIM card, be sure to take it out since it won’t be needed anyway. Now decide where to send your cell phone to be sure that it gets recycled.

Where to recycle old cell phones

You’d be amazed at how much of our ewaste goes to other countries, such as China, to be recycled - then shipped back to the US to be reused. The working conditions and the environmental impact that this has on the surrounding community are incredible as shown in this video by Laura Ling.

With that said, there are several responsible organizations that will take your old cell phones and recycle or reuse them in a way that does not affect the health of workers and our environment. Here’s a small sample of places that will accept your old cell phone.

Eco-Cell: Pays you up to $15 per cell phone that you send them. Eco-Cell has a strict “no-landfill” policy and offers free shipping to send them your old phone.

Cell Phones For Soldiers: Started by a couple of young teenage siblings, Cell Phones For Soldiers has grown into one of the largest cell phone recycling organizations. They take your cell phones and trade them in to give our troops calling cards so they can call home. I personally use this CPFS and encourage everyone I know to do the same.

Pace Butler: Pays up to $50 per cell phone. They offer free shipping with prepaid labels and have a price list available to find what your old cell phone is worth.

CTIA: Wireless Association that allows you to drop-off your old cell phone at one of their participating member locations.

GRC Wireless Recycling: Donates up to $30 per cell phone to charities for each cell phone you send them. Free shipping and has a strict “no-landfill” policy.

What happens to old cell phones

So what happens when you donate or sell your cell phone? Well if you send it to a responsible organization like mentioned above, it gets reused, recycled, or refurbished. Here’s what CTIA, The Wireless Association has to say:

Once a used wireless device is dropped off at a participating retail store, or mailed to a carrier or manufacturer with mail-in programs, the product will typically be packaged and shipped to a facility for evaluation. From there, it will be:

Reused: If wireless devices and accessories are in good working condition, they are re-used by a number of worthy charities.

Refurbished: Wireless devices may be reconditioned or repaired. Companies often refurbish the products and return the devices to service.

Recycle/Recovered: When wireless devices reach their end-of-life, they are sent to processing facilities that recover and safely recycle reusable materials.

Even though cell phones are very small, they make up a large source of air and water pollution. Recycle your old cell phone. Maybe earn some spending cash, but most importantly - do the right thing.