Despite the abundance of companies now out there that recycle cell phones and other electronics, many people still don't know that their cell phone can be recycled. It can, and it should. Every year, over 100 million cell phones are thrown away, causing damage to our ecosystems. Discarded cell phones can leak lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and other toxic substances, polluting the water supply and the air.
There are many companies that will recycle your old cell phone. They range from ones who will buy the phone from you for a few bucks, to ones that will donate to your chosen charity, and even one who will plant a tree for every cell phone donated.
From iRecyclePhones.com:
With American Forest’s and the public’s help, iRecyclePhones.com will plant trees throughout locations in need of environmental restoration, including areas damaged by wildfire and urban communities that lack green coverage.
There is no cost in sending the company your cell phone. You just print out their shipping label, which can be found on their site, attach it to the box with your phone in it, and mail it off; they pay the shipping costs.
Other companies that will recycle your cell phone include Cell For Cash, who will buy the phone from you, Recycling for Charities, who donates proceeds from your cell phones and other electronic devices to the charity of your choice, and Call to Protect, where proceeds from phones will go to help agencies that fight domestic violence and other phones will be refurbished and given to domestic violence survivors.
Some stores have donation boxes to drop your phones in, including Best Buy, and some of the online programs also have drop boxes that can be found through searches on their websites. There are many other cell phone recycling programs out there, these are just to give you an idea of what is available. If the programs listed here aren't suited for you, you might be able to find one that is on 50 Ways to Leave Your Cell Phone at VoIP News.
Remember to remove your information from your phone before recycling it. Cancel your service (unless you have switched it to a new phone), clear stored information such as your contacts, and take out your SIM card, if your phone has one.
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Focus Organic is the main author on Focus Organic.com. Her real name is Stefanie, and she started Focus Organic to learn more about living green and to share what she learns with the site's readers.
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May 9th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Great post. I recall a group that was taking old but working condition cell phones and giving them to soldiers and soldiers families that did not have them in order to facilitate communication. Our environment is important and our responsibility. I have faved you on my technorati.
Quote This CommentMay 9th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
David Tamayo »
Thank you! Yes, the program you are talking about is Cell Phones for Soldiers. There are so many options for recycling cell phones that can contribute to great causes that it is hard to decide which to choose!
Quote This CommentMay 9th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Great. I will post an entry on my blog regarding this program. My site is http://securityforidiots.blogspot.com/
Quote This CommentIt should be up within the couple of days. Take care.
May 11th, 2008 at 3:05 am
I think this is a great idea and have already sent two of my old phones for recycling through Tesco's. I like to do my bit and try to be eco-friendly as much as possible.
Quote This CommentMay 12th, 2008 at 2:20 am
well that's something i didn't know. thanx for sharing!
Quote This CommentMay 12th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Windows Tips »
I always like to hear of people doing things to help out, it makes me smile to know that not everyone in the world does nothing to help!
Quote This CommentMay 14th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
David Tamayo »
David, if you see this, let me know when the post is up so I can check it out! I will watch out for it, but I get so air-headed sometimes I might forget
Sorry about this comment taking so long, Somehow your most recent comment went into my Akismet spam!
Quote This CommentMay 14th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Yes I will. Things have been crazy lately. I did check out the site. I was hoping that they would have a button to install. I did not see one. Thanks and take care!
Quote This CommentMay 19th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I posted information about Cellphones For Soldiers on my site:
Quote This Commenthttp://securityforidiots.blogspot.com/
You can see it on the sidebar under the heading titled "charities in focus" Sorry it took a while. Let me know what you think. Take care my friend.
May 20th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
David Tamayo said:
I don't know why Akismet keeps putting your comments into spam despite telling it not to... Ah well, it's up now
I sent you a message back on BC. I think it's great that you posted about it, and even better that you put it in the sidebar where it won't be pushed off the page
It always makes me happy to see people supporting good causes.
Quote This CommentMay 27th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Mobile phone recycling is really a good idea and helps the environment. One should recycle old mobiles rather than just throwing away. According to latest figures, there is nearly 25 million of mobile phones lying dormant in UK.
Quote This CommentMay 27th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Jay Monds said:
It is very important, and other electronics can also be recycled.
Quote This CommentMay 30th, 2008 at 11:08 am
[...] reminds you to Recycle Your Cell Phone, Plant a Tree posted at Focus Organic.com. One of the biggest green crimes of our day is tossing electronics! If [...]
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