What to Do With Your Old Phone
I periodically donate gadgets and other items to my local Goodwill store, but while researching this article, I've found even more places that accept phones.
First off, it's important to note that before you donate your phone you should erase all your personal data. That way, you won't compromise your personal information.
Need help? Here's how to wipe your device before getting rid of it.
Where to Donate Your Old Cell Phone
1. 911 Cell Phone Bank
2. 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.
3. Cell4Pets
4. Cell Phones for Soldiers
Cell Phones for Soldiers accepts mobile devices to give to active-duty members of the military as well as veterans.
5. eBay for Charity
6. Goodwill
If you have a Goodwill near you, that's a great place to donate your old phone. "Unused cell phones make up one of the fastest-growing kinds of trash in America. Goodwill works with partners to collect and recycle phones," the charity says on its website.
7. Medic Mobile
Medic Mobile takes your donated cell phone and recycles it to fund health care programs in 26 countries around the world.
8. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) partners with Cellular Recycler to get phones into the hands of domestic abuse victims.
9. Pickup Please
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.
10. Rainforest Connection
San Francisco-based startup Rainforest Connection has created a system using donated cell phones to alert villagers of illegal logging in foreign countries.
11. Recycling For Charities
12. Salvation Army
13. Second Wave Recycling
Second Wave Recycling works with charities to collect phones — working or non-working — for recycling.
14. Secure The Call
SecureTheCall.org distributes donated phones to agencies, companies, and institutions across the nation that redistribute the phones to individuals who are not only in need but also at a high risk for needing emergency services. Right now, the organization is sending phones to hospitals for use by COVID patients.
15. Veterans Advantage
Veterans Advantage's Recycle & Reward campaign takes donated cell phones and sends them to needy veterans as part of their Give the Gift of VetRewards program.
16. Women’s Resource Center
The Women's Resource Center takes donated phones and either refurbishes or recycles them and uses the proceeds for its programs.
Where to Recycle Old Cell Phones
There are several organizations that facilitate the recycling of old phones either for the environment or for other good causes. Here are some places that will recycle your cell phone.
17. Best Buy
Best Buy has a recycling program for old phones and other electronics. Just go to your local Best Buy and look for the recycling kiosk near the front door.
18. 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.
19. The Fossey Fund
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International works with zoos and has partnered with Eco-Cell to recycle cell phones. The proceeds go to animal conservation efforts.
20. Smart Phone Recyclers
SmartPhoneRecyclers.com will pay you to recycle your phone and says you can get up to $400 per smartphone and tablet.
More Uses for Your Old Cell Phone
- Data storage device (old photos, music, videos, etc.)
- An alarm clock or timer
- A calculator
Team Clark member Theo has a great suggestion. "If you have an old cell phone that's not really worth selling, it can be a great addition to your emergency kit — which you should have prepared and ready to go in case bad weather hits or even worse, a natural disaster or other emergency situation," Theo says.
911.gov says, "all wireless phones, even those that are not subscribed to or supported by a specific carrier, can call 911." So you don't need to pay for wireless service for an old phone in order to reach a 911 center in case of an emergency.
Final Thoughts
And remember, if you're donating your phone, make sure to wipe the data off your phone to get rid of all of your files, programs and apps on the device.
More Cell Phone Resources From Clark.com:
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