Recycle or Repurpose Used Cell Phones

[kcjodih]

What do you do with used cellphones? I got a new one today for my birthday, my previous one is 2 years old, my daughter is getting one after Christmas for her birthday replacing the one that she has now where all the little extras don't work. So we'll have 2 and I think there's another around here somewhere that DH used to have.

Is there anything useful I can do with these?

 

[Sheila]

Federal regulation says that all cellphones must be able to dial 911 (assuming they are charged or plugged in of course) regardless if they have current cell service or not.You can keep them as spares in the car in case of an emergency -or- you can donate them to a battered women's shelter. Usually you have to make your donation via your local police department. You can call the local one in your phone book, but they will NOT give you their physical address for mailing or drop off. They will only provide you with a PO Box address for security reasons.

 

[Monty060609]

Verizon Wireless stores have drop boxes for battered women's shelters.

Just to be safe though, find the box IRL or online and do a master reset of your phone. It will return the phone to the original as bought condition, and erase all your information.

 

[Lisa/ChefBear]

I was going to say for battered women, but check with your local school or colleges, some of them collect and then turn over to something.......I know our high school does that, but since I don't have HS aged kids I've got no idea what they do with them.

Lisa

 

[Jen1409]

I sold mine to a company online, I can't remember the name of it

 

[robochick84]

There are also drop boxes in various stores that collect for deployed military personnel.

We have Tmobile, and all new cell phones come with a postage paid envelope to return your old phone to them for proper recycling also.