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Green phone
So you’ve upgraded to the latest and greatest model your cell phone provider offers and you’re wondering what to do with that old clunker you’ve had for the last two years. It’s served you well but now it’s out of date and taking up space in your drawer because you (rightfully so) don’t want to pitch it in the trash. We can help.
Drop it off:
You can bring your old cell phone(s) in person to your carrier’s local retail store or some select electronics retailers for recycling. Here’s a list of retailers who accept old phones (and other devices, in some cases). Click the links for more information.
In many cases, these companies partner with non-profit organizations when collecting old phones. For example, AT&T collects on behalf of Cell Phones For Soldiers who then sells the phones to a company that recycles them. Cell Phones For Soldiers takes the proceeds from the sale, and purchases calling cards for soldiers stationed abroad so they can phone home.
Mail it in:
Don’t have one of these locations handy? Apart from the fact that you must really live in the sticks, no problem! Several manufacturers of phones offer postage-paid label services, so all you have to do is box it up and drop it in the mail. Here’s a few of them:
Other options:
Still can’t find anywhere to recycle that old phone? Check out the EPA’s guide to eCycling complete with links to find local recycling programs.
So what do they do with them, anyway?
When a phone goes to a recycler, they can be stripped of metals that can be melted down and reused (for example, gold and copper found in circuit boards or wiring) and working parts and components can be removed and reused to repair broken phones or assemble new ones. Check out this video from How Stuff Works for more info.
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