by Alicia M Prater PhD

Created on: June 27, 2010

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there are currently  500 million used cell phones tucked away in people’s closets, desk drawers, and other storage places. Many have held onto them because they do not want to throw them in the trash, and rightfully so. Cell phones and other handheld electronic devices contain a number of toxic metals, including mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and copper, as well as plastics, which take a very long time to biodegrade.  However, some people do discard their phones in the trash, an estimated 130 million a year, or 65,000 tons of toxic waste. There is an eco-friendly solution to getting rid of your old cell phone though. In 2007, 14 million people recycled their cell phones, and so can you.

A number of recycling programs exist in the U.S. for cell phones.  Some cell phone manufacturers accept mailed in used cell phone and cell phone battery returns. Some electronics retailers also offer drop off locations or collection drives for these items. The EPA has a complete listing here. Each company may have a different policy regarding age, condition, or postage.

Another program is GRC Wireless Recycling, which offers to collect cell phones to raise money for their nonprofit partners, to pay for bulk collections (more than 10 phones) depending on their age and condition, and to help setup cell phone recycling fundraisers for community groups. To recycle with this group, you have to register online here to receive a recycling kit with pre-paid FedEx shipping labels.

Through CollectiveGood, there are two ways to recycle your old cell phone. First is via Earthworks’ RecycleMyCellPhone program, which also accepts PDAs and pagers regardless of age or condition. The phones are recycled by having their working parts removed for refurbishing and reuse. Broken and unusable components are sent to EPA-certified disposal partners, who dispose of the waste in as eco-friendly a way as is currently possible. To recycle via this program (U.S. only), fill out the information sheet at the organization’s website, print a shipping information sheet and mailing label, and then mail the phone, charger, and any accessories in a padded envelope or box. They recycle everything. The organization’s association with CollectiveGood Works gives them $1 from every phone they process.

CollectiveGood also works with the GreenPhone program, which is the same process as Earthworks’ program, except you get the cash.

Before recycling your phone, ensure that you have cleared your contacts or phone book, erased old text messages or files, removed any personal or identifying information, and cancelled your service plan.

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