How to Recycle Cell Phones
How to Recycle Cell Phones
Are you planning on upgrading to a new 5G phone like the iPhone 12? Or maybe the Samsung Galaxy Note20? Do you already have a junk drawer full of old mobile phones that you’re not sure what to do with? You can (and should) recycle cell phones, but only through a program that specifically takes these types of electronics.
Do NOT throw your cell phone in the trash or your recycling bin.
Mobile phones contain a lithium battery. These in particular are hazardous waste and need to be handled accordingly. They can cause fires and leach dangerous chemicals, so they need to be disposed of carefully. If you are keeping your phone and simply swapping out the battery, see this article on battery recycling.
There are other parts of your cell phone that are recyclable as well, but not by the same recyclers who take your curbside bottles, paper and cans. Mobile phones and other electronics should only be recycled by certified e-waste recyclers.
Recycling your phone isn’t the only option though. It may have value for reuse.
Options for what to do with an old cell phone
Sell it!
Your old phone might still have some life in it, especially if it’s not that old and is still in good condition. An easy resale option is to take it to an ecoATM kiosk to see if it has any value on the market and get some cash for it. Find a kiosk with the ecoATM online locator map. (Be sure to do this sooner rather than later. The older your phone gets, the less value it has.)
Trade it in.
If you are upgrading your iPhone or Android you may be able to trade in your old model to get a discount on your new one or a gift card. Check out the Apple Trade-In Program or the Samsung Trade-In Program.
Donate it to charity.
A number of charitable organizations will take your old phone and refurbish or recycle them, with the phones and/or proceeds going to those in need. Some non-profit programs that take old cell phones include:
- ECO-CELL – They collect old cell phones, refurbish the ones that have value, recycle the rest and use the earnings to conserve animal species like gorillas and support the charitable organizations that set up the collection sites.
- Cell Phones for Soldiers – They refurbish or recycle old cell phones, the proceeds from which are used to purchase prepaid international calling cards for troops and provide emergency funding for veterans.
- Medic Mobile – They recycle cell phones and use the proceeds to fund healthcare programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Recycle it.
If you can’t use one if the above options, there are plenty of other convenient ways to recycle your phone. Many retailers such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, Target, Staples, Best Buy and more have cell phone takeback programs. Look for bins that are usually near the entrance or customer service.
Your city or community may also host electronics collections on special collection days or have a drop-off location at the city recycling/solid waste center.
Phones collected through all these various types of cell phone takeback programs will generally be sent on to a certified e-waste recycler for processing.
Finding a certified e-waste recycler:
If you don’t want to use any of the retail or charitable programs listed above, or if you have a large amount of electronics waste to dispose of, you can drop off your electronics directly at an e-waste recycler. Be sure to look for one with an EPA-approved certification to ensure that the waste is being managed appropriately and all data is secure.
According to the EPA, there are two certifications that an e-waste recycler can get, either one of which ensures that they are managing electronics responsibly. You can use these online search tools to find a certified e-waste recycler near you. Visit the Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI) website to find R2 certified recyclers, and you can also find e-Stewards certified recyclers here.
Is my data safe if I sell, donate, trade in or recycle my phone?
Certified e-waste recyclers must adhere to rigorous standards and pass random inspections to prove that they are completely wiping all your data and safeguarding devices from information theft. If you give your electronics to a certified e-waste recycler, you should feel secure knowing that your data is safe.
However, it’s still a good idea to do the factory resets to wipe all your data, especially if your phone might be refurbished and reused rather than recycled. ecoATM has a helpful guide for performing factory resets on iPhones and Androids.
Have I missed any other options for ways to recycle and reuse old phones? Let me know!
