Please note: Physically damaged e-waste (with damaged physical parts/screens) should be handled and disposed of as hazardous waste as these items may contain hazardous substances such as mercury. Cell phone retailers often take old phones for recycling. Other convenient options include:
Single-family households: The paper should be wrapped around each cell phone. Place in a clear bag and zip or tie closed. Place the bag on the garbage truck lid on collection day.
Multifamily: The bag should be placed in the orange collection bucket, following the same steps as above. If there are no buckets available, please have your property manager call us. Â
Businesses: Arrange for recycling through a hazardous waste transporter or drop-off facility.
Cell phones can also be disposed of as e-waste. But don’t throw it in the trash. In addition to toxic metals, cell phones contain reusable precious metals, silicone, glass, and plastics. Don’t throw away cell phones, which are a major source of e-waste.
1. Alternative recycling methods
Here are some alternative ways to recycle your old cell phone.
1) Electronics and Appliance Recycling at Best Buy
Best Buy will take back cell phones and many other home electronics for free; they also offer a buyback program for more wanted electronics. They receive up to three items per day from each household.
2) Staples Recycling Program
Cell phones, desktop computers, tablets, monitors, and other electronics can be recycled at Staples for free.
3) Gazelle Trade-In Program
In addition to buying used Macs, iPods, phones, and tablets, Gazelle refurbishes or recycles them. Get a quote on your item, ship it for free, and receive payment instantly after inspection.
4) HP Hardware Recycling
Mail-in recycling of cell phones and electronic hardware is available from HP.
5) Apple Store Gift Card
Apple operates a reuse and recycling program for unwanted iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC computers and monitors. Depending on the condition of your electronics, Apple may offer you a credit if they have a monetary value.
6) LG Recycling Program
Ship your LG phone for recycling with a free pre-paid shipping label.
7) Samsung Mobile Phone Recycling Program
Send any model of Samsung mobile device and all accessories for free recycling. Just print a prepaid shipping label.
8) Microsoft Trade-in and Recycling Program
Trade in your old device, console, or game for Microsoft Store credit or cash.
9) Donate to global public health
Hope Phones accepts any phone, working or not, and offers free shipping. They buy technology for public health workers around the world through Medic Mobile, which recycles or sells phones.
10) Donate to domestic violence survivors
Get free shipping on any available cell phone or cell phone accessory to Verizon’s HopeLine program, which gives it to survivors of domestic violence. Recipients of the refurbished phone will also get free calls and texts.
11) Donate to a soldier
The mission of Soldier Cell Phones is to provide free communication services to active duty military and veterans. They have a donation and buyback program.
12) Connected charitable reuse and recycling
Donate smartphones and laptops less than 7 years old to InterConnection’s charitable computer reuse and recycling program. The screen of the smartphone must not be broken, and the laptop must be able to turn on. Hard drives will be wiped immediately upon receipt of the item.
2. Reuse methods
To repurpose your smartphone, there are plenty of apps that can give your phone a whole new look. Old smartphones can be used as flash drives, mobile mice/trackpads, or baby monitors.
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